18th December, 2014
Former Nigerian international, Chief Olusegun Odegbami, MON, wants student-athletes to face their studies more even as they progress in their sporting career.
Speaking on the topic: Sports and Education during the Lagos State Sports Forum organised as part of build up activities ahead of the Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games 2015 scheduled for next month, former captain of the Green Eagles said sports without education is like tea without sugar, adding that “there is an urgent need for us to get our children to be in school, no matter what they want to pursue; whether in sports, music or whatever it is they want to pursue; but school should be paramount.”
Odegbami posited that the nation needs a Minister of Sports who appreciates that grassroots development must be in schools and a Minister of Education who will appreciate that all students in schools must be exposed to physical activities.
The Sports Forum was a platform where experts rubbed minds on the way forward for schools sports in the country. Other speakers at the forum included the Director, Grassroots Sports of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhassan Yakmut who delivered a keynote address, Mrs. Gloria Obajimi (School Sports and Sports Facilities), Prince ‘Wale Oladunjoye (Grassroots Sports and Development: The Lagos Experience).
The Ibile Games 2015 will hold from 26 January to 6 February, 2015.