My encounter with the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele was divined as I had no premonition we would discuss the above topic as it affects sports. One thing leads to another and before we could say Jack Robbinson, we were in the thick of sports management and the youth games where Edo State against all odds had surpassed previous records. I sighted him at St Patrick College with a group of people, not thugs or Agbero and the same set of people at the main bowl of Stephen Keshi Stadium watching athletics events.
A close look at the people revealed that they were his think thank team comprising Honourable Donald Onigbe, Chairman, House Committee on Sports in the House of Assembly, Anthony Ikuenobe, a former Director Sports in Edo, Frank Ilaboya, a member of the board. Others are Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Director in the Commission and Football administrator cum labour leader, Benard Joman.
Enabulele told me point blank that he operates macro management in sports and that has been the secret behind the success recorded in the 9th edition in Asaba.
He further said micro style of leadership as seen from some administrators is not a good practice, as it leads to low employee accountability and morale, reduction of productivity and motivation. It also contributes to employee dissatisfaction and attraction.
Enabulele also disclosed that he prefers team work which requires the participation of multiple individuals working together as a team, for it is inherently impossible or highly impractical to execute the sport as a single player endeavour.
From my study of Enabulele’s conversation with me, it is an altruism that sports commission thrives when employees collaborate, combining their expertise to enhance productivity and creativity.
An administrator must build trust and foster a cooperative relationship to out-compete their opponents and achieve a shared objective.
One thing I have noticed among some administrators with my close study of their actions in this youth game is that some want to play god and there is no way you can eat your cake and have it.
The Holy Bible made us to understand that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This statement from Jesus shows that internal strife and disunity lead to inevitable destruction or failure. This principle highlights that any entity, whether a nation will crumble if its foundation is weakened by internal conflict and opposing forces.
This concept applies to families, communities, and nations, where division and strife ultimately leads to total failure. Bad leadership which is characterized by lack of essential qualities like empathy, communication, vision, often lead to demoralization of team. This attitude which includes micro-managing, blaming others, failing to provide clear direction or recognition cannot give you the desired goals.
The truth is that bad leadership creates an environment of fear, confusion, and a lack of purpose which is why some administrators in this game have found it difficult to meet the records of their predecessors. Therefore, the leaders must emulate Honourable Desmond Enabulele of Edo State and do the needful if you want to succeed. As a leader, your job is to macro manage and not micromanage. Your job is to motivate, not to demand and to those who micromanage, they should start a meditation practice and get therapy. An individual talent alone is often insufficient for achieving victory.
The Youth Games And The Screening Committee
By the time you are reading this, the 9th edition of the National Youth Games would be winding up with three states likely to emerge the overall winner. Lagos, Delta and Edo States are in the fore front to cart home the exalted trophy.
As it is, the National Sports Commission will hand over the flag to the next host today after the closing ceremony with Delta and Lagos laying claim to it. This is good for the youth games instead of searching for a host, many states are now showing interest.
However, one department which has set the clock backward is the screening committee.
Thus, we have a situation where a player from Nasarawa State challenging a referee, uttering the following words” Do you think I am a small boy, mind the way you talk to me if not I will beat you after the match”.
In virtually all the events, we have over aged athletes and like what a stakeholder told me” I knew there would be problem because what they normally do in two days was done within few hours. Some of those who were disqualified found their way back to compete. This is bad and not good for the image of the games.” You cannot be in a University and still be competing at this level. Like I wrote last week, the sanctions should start from the screening Committee. We need new people with character to handle this job in the next edition.
Apart from the screening process which fell below par, kudos to others for a job well done and my take, all the Northern States should go home and do more for the next youth games.. I want to see a state from the Northern axis challenge the Southern States in the next edition.
