UI’SU Sports Secretary, Adesanya Daniel, in this interview responds to questions on the generality of sports. Answering IndyPress correspondent, Ambali Olayinka, the Sports Secretary speaks about the 2024 Bilateral Games, UI’SU Sports Committee, University of Ibadan Sports Council, and on welfare.
It is a pleasure to meet you in person. Can you kindly introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Adesina Daniel [Oscar] a 400 level student of the University of Ibadan and also the UI’SU Sports Secretary.
On Bilateral Games at the University Of Ghana, what is your impression of the experience and preparation? Can you also highlight the aim(s) of that initiative?
The experience was nice, adventurous. There was an exchange of expertise, enlightenment on different approach to sports. The experience was great overall.
The main aim of this initiative was geared towards enhancing sportsmanship, learning of new skills, and also fostering the relationship between the University Of Ibadan and University Of Ghana, since both Universities are the premier institutions in their respective countries.
What can you say about the welfare of the students who travelled to Ghana?
Yeah, the welfare of the students was superb, we were well taken care. Feeding, accommodation, and other needs; everything was great.
From my observation, sport activities on campus are not so medically-inclined, how can the idea of first aid be incorporated and enforced in sport activities on campus?
Before any organisation, department or faculty engage in sport activities, it is of utmost importance that first aid is in place, because one is not immune to injury in sports. It’s a work in progress. The aim is to enforce it across all sport competitions in UI, which I’ve started already e.g the Inter-hall Freshers Cup. So in subsequent competitions like seals Cup, I’ll ensure that all boxes are ticked.
Can you confirm if there are coaches or honorary coaches across all sports in UI?
Yes, we have them.
On the issue of Students’ representation, can you also confirm that you and other three exemplary students are part of the University Sports Council as required or clearly stated in the Students’ Information Handbook (You can have a look).
Yes, they are.
What are your plans for profiling, based on what you said in your manifesto, what do you intend to do and how far have you gone with that?
At this moment, we’ve utilised social media for that and we’ve also used the freshers welcome to launch it. We are still pushing it out to get the attention which we are looking for.
So what’s the social media handle account?
I can’t remember right now.
The Inter-hall Freshers Cup that’s about to be concluded, what exactly or differently did you put in place for that competition to hold. What are the incentives for the winner and runner ups like?
I ensured that the officiating (person) was available, first aid and all. The incentives are the medals, and trophy to the winners.
In your manifesto, you clearly stated that you’re going to bring more female participation into sports, because there is this issue of monopoly in UI, whereby the male students participate in sports activities compared to females. What are your plans for creating an all-inclusive sports in UI?
I’ll do my possible best to incorporate females into sports in general and not just football. One of those avenues to promote that is the female edition of the Seals Cup Competition and Female Sigma Cup competition, which happened last session.
Still on your manifesto, on sport conference, what exactly have you put in place, and when is it going to hold? You should also highlight what the sports conference is all about?
The sport conference is like an orientation on the field of sports, and I’ve started reaching out to the speakers. So it is going to hold very soon.
What plans do you have to spotlight other sports in UI e.g taekwondo, volley ball etc?
There’s this initiative that was birthed by my predecessors it is called PICK A SPORT. it centers on informing the students about different sports, by leveraging on graphics, brief videos and other multimedia elements. But I plan to elaborate more on that.
From May 13 when you come on board till this present moment, what can you say about the internal workings of the Sports Council, is it actually fulfilling its purpose in your own view?
With my few experiences with them they are doing pretty well to some extent.
Between the SUB football pitch and the AWO Hall stadium, which of the two is the official sport centre of the University, and how well are the sport facilities at AWO stadium accessible?
The new stadium (Awo) is the official sport centre but due to the proximity, students prefer the SUB pitch, and also the facilities at the new stadium are available to all UItes.
Special persons on campus seem marginalised. What do you have to offer to the special students with regards to sports?
Hmm, we don’t have equipments to cater for them yet to the best of my knowledge.
Alright, thank you for the audience.
