“Great Ife Must Lead in Sports Excellence” — Malik Outlines Plans for Athlete Welfare, Inclusive Sports Growth

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Director of Sports aspirant, Malik Adekunle, has unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious blueprint to transform sports development, enhance inclusivity, and prioritize athlete welfare within the Great Ife Students’ Union if elected. 

Malik, a penultimate-year student from the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Recreation (KHR), Faculty of Education, emphasized that sports at OAU should not only be a platform for competition but also a catalyst for unity, personal development, and student well-being.


 In an exclusive interview with campus correspondents, Malik identified low visibility, gender imbalance, and inadequate welfare for student-athletes as the major challenges limiting the full potential of sports on campus. He presented targeted solutions to address these pressing concerns.

Leveraging Social Media to Amplify Great Ife Sports Malik underscored the importance of modernizing sports communication by utilizing digital platforms to promote activities and celebrate athletes’ achievements.

“The Sacrosanct Constitution of the Students' Union, Article III, Section 32, sub-section 2, mandates the Director of Sports to keep students informed about sporting activities. But in today’s world, if you're not leveraging social media, your impact is limited,” he stated.

To bridge this gap, Malik proposed the creation of the Great Ife Sports Media Hub, a digital platform that will promote athletes, showcase sporting events, and provide live streaming of matches and competitions:

“Every student is active on one social platform or another. To give our athletes and events the recognition they deserve, we must amplify their efforts through strategic social media engagement."

Driving Gender Inclusivity in Sports
Speaking on the global and historical barriers women face in sports, Malik acknowledged the underrepresentation of female athletes, while commending the achievements of Great Ife's female teams in handball, basketball, athletics, and table tennis.

"Access to sports reflects the values of a society. Here at Great Ife, our women have consistently proven their excellence,” he remarked.

Malik pledged to expand female participation by collaborating with the university's Sports Council to organize *gender-specific competitions, recreational programs, and initiatives that reward participation, not just victory*:

“Participation breeds inclusion. When we celebrate every effort, more women will be motivated to join, excel, and redefine sports at Great Ife.”

Prioritizing Athlete Welfare and Mental Well-being

Malik also addressed the critical issue of poor welfare for student-athletes, lamenting the lack of essential amenities such as accommodation and health care:

“It's no longer news that athlete welfare on this campus is substandard. Even basic amenities like accommodation are lacking,” he expressed.
If elected, Malik vowed to collaborate with the Sports Council, Division of Student Affairs (DSA), and other relevant agencies to secure improved healthcare, full access to the university health center, and comprehensive welfare packages for athletes:

“Athletes deserve holistic care — physically, mentally, and socially. I will advocate for policies that prioritize their well-being, ensuring that Great Ife becomes a model for sports excellence and athlete support.”

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