By Boluwatife Kehinde & Daniel Akinte
The proverb "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" highlights the importance of balancing work and leisure. In response, the school management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has implemented extracurricular activities, particularly in sports, for students. However, a lack of awareness among students has resulted in many not fully benefiting from these sports activities.
Lawal Idris is a 200-level Economics Education student who played football at the secondary school level and was a member of the school team said he has encountered challenges in joining the Adekunle Ajasin University school team, primarily related to the balance between academic commitments and participation in sports.
According to Idris, joining the school team has its benefits, but it is mainly suited for those pursuing a career in sports.
"Though I like football, it is stressful. Now, I just play football for fun because I can't balance it with academics and hustling. I know there are benefits, but those who join such a team are those that have passion as well as pursue a career in that aspect."
Despite this, Idris still participates in sports activities, particularly at the departmental level.
"I don't have time for football again because it's stressful, but for my department, it is my responsibility to participate in departmental sport." Idris says.
Another 200-level student of Computer Science, Adeyeye Peter, expresses concerns about joining the school team, citing the potential for it to distract from academic responsibilities and to negatively impact academic performance.
“I can't join the school team and I see it as a waste of time. Also, it will make me lose focus of the purpose of my coming to school." Peter says.
Expert view
In an interview with Echo Media, AAUA Staff Chief Coach Lawal Surajudeen addressed the issue of unawareness of students to sporting activities available on campus.
The school offers 17 diverse sports activities, including badminton, taekwondo, chess, scrabble, table tennis, tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, handball, football, and track and field.
Coach Lawal noted that the lack of participation by students in the school Fresher's Orientation may contribute to a general apathy toward sports.
"Ignorance of students towards sports activities starts when they don't come for orientation because it is during orientation the school orients the students about sports”.
Claiming that "If you are a sportsman right from your secondary school, at least you must have represented your school in any competition."
The upcoming competitions for the school as stated by coach Lawal include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Game, scheduled for February 27, 2025, the Nigeria University Game Association (NUGA) in November 2025, and the University Games in Germany on July 16, 2025.
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