By Jude Opara, Abuja
The proprietor of HOTCOAL Basketball team, Dr. Ubon Udoh has stressed the need for both the government at all levels as well as well placed individuals to invest more in the sports sector saying that the country is not taking full advantage of its potentials in the sector.
Udoh, a former national team player in an exclusive chat with Peoples Daily said investing massively in sports development can minimize some of the social crises facing the country by about 50% because it will take the youth away from illicit drugs, armed robbery and other such nefarious activities associated with the young people.
The sports philanthropist who recently bagged the Nigerian National Youth Sports Ambassador award by the Nigerian Sports National Merit Award also advised parents to encourage their children, especially the girl child to embrace s[ports saying the benefits are enormous.
He noted that in most developed countries, children are moulded in such a way that while they are pursuing their sporting career, they equally combine such with their education so that one will not suffer for the other.
“As a country, we have not really taken advantage of our potentials in sports because it is a huge area that has a lot of value chain that if adequately harnessed, it has the capacity to engage almost half of our young ones.
“For instance, in America where they are taking full advantage of the system, collage students who are equally engaging in sports are encouraged to find a way to balance the two. If your GPA falls below 2.8, they will ask you to withdraw from sports and focus on your academics, no matter how good you may be as an athlete.
“This makes it imperative for the students to take their studies seriously because they know that without the education, there will be no scholarship as an athlete”.
According to Udoh, sports emphasizes the four cardinal attributes anybody needs to succeed in life: planning, dedication, hard work and humility.
He equally revealed that contrary to what many think that sports is only for the less privileged, he is already encouraging his children to take to sports.
“My 10 year old daughter said she wants to play at the Olympics and in fact already she is now a member of her school team despite her young age. She has her upright where she trains, but I also ensure she goes out to train and mix with other kids, this is to make her realize the dynamics of life”.
Ubon who already has his HOTCOAL in 12 states said he intends to expand to 20 states before the end of next year.
