The University’s newly appointed Director of Sports, Mr. Bayo Oluwatoki, has unveiled an all-embracing action plan that will radically change the face of sports in the University.
Also embedded in his programme of action is the marketing of sports programmes of the University, with a view to generating income for the institution.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with UNAAB Bulletin, Mr. Oluwatoki, who is the Secretary-General of Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Southwest Zone, disclosed that he had developed and submitted a Sport Policy to the University.
According to the former Sports’ Director of the Federal Polytechnic, Kano and Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, his vision is to operate a “sports for all policy”, that will keep members of the University Community fit and healthy, as well as sustain and improve on existing facilities.
To achieve this, Oluwatoki revealed that the Sports Policy he is proposing is centred on four distinct areas of development, which are, Life Plus and Wellness, Intramural Sports Programmes, Community/Campus Recreation and Elite/Competition Sports.
According to the Physical/Health Education and Sports Management graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Life Plus and Wellness focuses on the promotion and maintenance of a good health for UNAAB staffers and students, through a programme that matches their personal needs, from time to time.
Intramural Sports Programme on the other hand, seeks to encourage staff and students to participate in organized sports and recreational activities, while Community/Campus Recreation aims at refreshing participants through novelty matches, exhibition games, cheer leading and aerobics.
The Sports Director, a Grade 1 Coaching Certificate holder with specialization in football from the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), explained that under the Elite/Sports Competition, “the avenue of Sports shall be explored to grow elite athletes that will do the University and the nation proud, through a “catch them young programme”.
He also informed that the policy would seek to provide new infrastructure, improve on existing facilities and market the University’s sports programmes to make them commercially viable.
The Director, who disclosed that he fell in love with the University and longed to work with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, after reading the 2010 edition of UNAAB News, described his appointment as a divine fulfilment.
He thanked the Prof. Balogun-led Management for according him the opportunity to serve, as he solicited the support and co-operation of members of the University Community in making his tenure successful.
