“The institute seeks to develop well educated sportsmen through a dynamic combination of innovative and comprehensive training methods, world-class education, leading edge sports science, integrated athlete-centric pathways and sports education and culture”.
These were the words of the Director–General of the Aspire Sports Academy in Doha, Qatar, Mr. Ivan Bravo, when he received the then governor of Kano state, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in 2015 in his academy.
The then governor was in Qatar for his administration’s determination and readiness to establish an international standard Sports Institute in Kano state, Nigeria.
Responding, Dr. Kwankwaso pointed out that he was in the institute for a visit and was attracted by the facilities and expertise of tutors at the institute.
The then Kao state governor added that his administration has the yearnings to collaborate with the institute in the areas of facilities, staff development and student exchange in respect of the Kano Sports Institute, which was then under construction.
In a similar development, the Federal Government also announced its intention to collaborate with the Kano State government in exploring avenues to develop Kano State Sport Institute into the first sports degree awarding body in Nigeria.
The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the former Acting Governor of Kano state, Hafiz Abubakar at the Government house.
He pointed out that Kano Sport Institute which is an affiliate of the State University of Science and Technology requires a framework like the South African model which operates as the country’ Sports Institute under University of Pretoria that admits candidates with sporting talent to produce sport graduates.
Dalung, who described Kano as a house of sport with many well established games such as Rugby, Basketball, volleyball and hockey among others that are rarely played and excelled in other states of the country.
He stated that with the demographic configuration of the state which is dominated by youth and many Sporting facilities, the state has all the potentials for investors to harness in sport development.
Responding, the then Acting Governor, Hafiz Abubakar welcomed the federal government move with assurance of the state government support.
Abubakar said Kano really deserves intervention from the Federal Government and International donors as well as investors in sport development.
The then governor’s intention or dream on the actualization of a world class sports institute in Kano and that of the Federal government did not materialize up to the end of Kwankwaso’s administration in 2015.
And a few days after the termination of his administration, Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso directed the formerly State University of Science and Technology, Wudil to commence the admission of students into the Kano Sports Institute.
He gave the directives while on an inspection visit to the then newly completed institute at Karfi in Kura local government area and said the move would afford the teeming indigenes of Kano and beyond wider prospect to become competitive sports men and women.
But with all these proclamations from the state and Federal Government, Kano State Sports Institute is nothing but a mere shadow of itself as it has never served the purposes it was originally created for.
My findings have shown that since its formation and commencement to work eight years ago, the institute has graduated only 28 students. Too bad and very unfortunate.
And the diploma and certificate the institute has is awarded to its students are inadequate because the two certificates are not what the people expect or want to acquire. NCE or Bsc should have been the best option as holders.
As it is a well-known scenario that NCE and Bsc certificate holders have the best chance of employment than those with diplomas and certificates.
And from all indications there is no sign of relief for now or in the near future as the institute has not been put into a proper shape to work and meet its set objectives.
Another sad situation is that the institute has only 18 students currently undertaking courses, which is a clear indication that people have lost or have no hope in the institute.
Another contributing factor to the institute failure is absence or paucity of qualified staffers to run and manage it effectively and efficiently.
Those now in charge of the institutes are mere attendants and office helpers who cannot or have no capacity to teach or impart any knowledge to anybody.
The handing over the institute to KUST, Wudil now Aliko Dangote University of Science of Technology, Wudil, did not change or help the situation as nothing new was seen or done to move the institute forward.
The university has not shown any tangible efforts or interest to deploy personnel from both sides (teaching and non-teaching) to the institute to commence serious academic and non-academic activities.
Even though the present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf have indicated its interest in the institute by appointing Dr. Musa Sa’ad as its director, the story remained the same because he has not put any new effort that will make the change.
From his assumption of duty as the institute’s number one administrator, I expected the university don, to look at its curriculum and effect serious changes which will put the institute on a track of excellence.
To me, the curriculum I want or expect Dr. Sa’ad to focus are that of the three areas of education:
1. NCE/Degree awarding: The institute should award the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in Sports and Exercise Science for schools/colleges and sports sectors/clubs.
2. Consultancy Services: The institute should also serve as Consultancy and Professional Services for institutions, organizations, offices and unit’s staff and individuals.
3. Basic/Academy for junior students: The institute should also provide Basic/academy training and courses for school ages especially junior secondary schools children (12-15 years) because the age of specialization in sports starts from 12 years.
In this section, the institute will offer training for all the sports/games and JSS syllabus after which it places or sends the graduates into SSS to harness their talents and have their O’Levels certificates for further studies.
And to achieve the above mentioned, there must be requirements which the institute must meet or follow in the first place.
Therefore, I expect the institute to do the following:-
1. Appoints the Director of the Institute and governing body.
2. Employ relevant and qualified teaching and other staff.
3. Affiliate with appropriate bodies in and outside the state.
4. Liaises with other institutions/bodies for bi-lateral and multilateral relationships.
5. Provide recent and world class and standard facilities, equipment, teaching aids and laboratories.
6. Arrange tours and excursions for students frequently.
7. Offer regular training for staff.
8. Provision of funding, transport, logistics and utilities services.
9. Provision of relevant allowances for both staff and students.
Lastly and more importantly, the institute must be independent so that the director of the institute together with his governing board will be running and taking decisive decisions and actions without any bureaucratic bottlenecks(s).
It must be allowed to function independently from any office but report to the governor directly.
To me, these are some ways to put the institute on the right track.