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Regular
readers of this column, would have noticed that I have repeatedly
mentioned my utter disgust for sports promotion, instead of grassroots
sports development, especially because of the way and manner in which
such so-called grassroots sports promotions are handled in this
country. I have also always wanted to be different, as revealed very
explicitly in the M.A.D. (making a difference) series, published in
this column, by asking myself periodically, if I have made any
difference at all in my efforts to contribute to grassroots sports
development in Nigeria. I have always asked myself if I have been part
of the solutions to Nigerian sports or part of the problems. This is
because it seemed to me that the more I wrote about problems
confronting sports in this country, the worse the matter became.

It actually got to
a point towards the end of 2010 that I began considering very seriously
if it was necessary for me to continue writing about sports in Nigeria
because I wondered deep within me if the people meant to read and act
on the issues raised by columnists committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s
lost glory in sports is revived – and I make bold to say there are a
few of such in this country – ever get to read our write-ups? Or, are
we considered as jobless busy-bodies, struggling to have some share of
the national cake, in order to make ends meet, or begging to be noticed
and recommended to be listed for the next major international or
national sporting event, so that some of the largesse attached to such
events will trickle down to us?

So I took three
major decisions. I would not quit. I would not concentrate on football
only. I would make very concrete efforts to put some of what I write
into practice. That way, I would be making a difference, especially as
I have been given the mandate and enabling environment to achieve this.
This was what gave birth to the Dove Golden Belt Tournament. It was
conceptualised as one of the events to celebrate the 69th birthday
anniversary celebration of Enoch Adejare Adeboye – an ex-boxer and
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

The entire
programme started on Tuesday February 22, 2011, with a well attended
media briefing, addressed by Johnson Odesola, the Special Assistant to
Adeboye on Administrative and Personnel matters, Wale Oladunjoye,
Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos state Governor, on Grassroots
Sports Development, veteran boxing coach, Joe Mensah and Segun Ajose,
the Commonwealth Light Welterweight boxing champion. While addressing
the Press, Odesola said the tournament was part of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God’s contribution to sports development in Nigeria
via strategies that would leverage the rejuvenation of boxing in line
with the Millennium Development Goals (M.D.G.’s) and the Sports for
Development and Peace programmes of the United Nations General
Assembly. He also stressed that the programme is one of the core
statutory duties of the church, which is to evolve a pyramid that will
create a career line for millions of potential sports persons within
and outside the church. This, he emphasised, is by giving them an
assurance of a positive future through sports and education. The
programme is just one of the contributions of the church to youth
empowerment in this massively blessed country.

As part of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God’s determination to contribute to the
revival and development of Sports in Nigeria, by effectively
contributing to the grooming of the next generation of sports men and
women who will not only excel academically and professionally but who
will also understand and appreciate the fear of God, a life of moral
excellence devoid of recklessness, pride and other numerous social
vices, Odesola also announced the establishment of the Dove Sports
Refinery, which will consist of a football academy, boxing academy and
other related sports academies, at the Redemption Camp along the
Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Expectedly, the facial and body language of
some of the sports writers spoke volumes, as Odesola rounded up his
speech and fielded questions.

And so, the stage was set for the pre-tournament summit and the
tournament proper, which would not have been successful but for the
contributions of Lagos and Ogun State boxing associations, Segun
Odegbami, Hubert Orji, Olusola Faleti, Wale Edun – who provided the
boxing ring free of charge, the Minister of Sports, Taoheed Adedoja,
who was very ably represented and, of course, the Lord God Almighty.