In an exclusive interview with Sports247, the distinguished Nigerian dramatist, scholar, critic, film actor, and director, Professor Sola Fosudo, shared his insights on the recently concluded maiden edition of the Above 50 football tournament.
Read Also: Anthony Joshua To Get New Opponent For Weekend Bout After Dillian Whyte’s Drug Test Conundrum
The event took place at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, and aimed to bring men and women above the age of 50 out of loneliness and into an active and engaged lifestyle.
Sola Fosudo, also a Professor and former head of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music at Lagos State University, offered his impressions on the competition and its profound impact on the participants.
“I am the first person that the initiator of the idea first mentioned it to when he developed it months ago,” Sola Fosudo explained. “He shared it with me, and I asked him a few questions about sustainability, probability, possibility, and much more. But he assured me that it was going to work, so we started reaching out and asking those who were interested to register their teams. Surprisingly, many teams registered to participate in the maiden edition of the tournament, which has just concluded today.”
The tournament’s goal was to engage individuals above the age of 50, particularly retirees, and alleviate feelings of loneliness and dejection. Sola Fosudo’s personal experience resonated with the essence of the event as he shared, “Many men, when they grow old to that level, face isolation as their children leave the house, and sometimes their spouses travel to visit the children, leaving the men alone at home.”
As a professor in active service, Professor Sola Fosudo emphasized the significance of the tournament in his own life, stating, “This project has been keeping me occupied instead of going home from work. I live alone in a big house that I built with many rooms with the plan of having my children all live at home. But the reality is that some of my children have left home and are abroad, while the remaining ones live their lives elsewhere as adults. So, I am left all alone in a big house.”
He praised the project’s impact on addressing loneliness and fostering active lifestyles for men above 50, embodying the tournament’s slogan, “Above 50, Just Starting Life.” Sola Fosudo acknowledged the significance of the event in not only promoting physical fitness but also providing a platform for social interaction and empowerment.
In terms of future plans, Sola Fosudo shared the intention of the initiator to expand the initiative and its impact. He discussed the forthcoming “Campus Talent Naija,” which would involve university students and graduates across Nigeria. This initiative aims to provide young individuals with opportunities for talent recognition and empowerment, aligning with the overarching goals of impacting society positively.
In summary, Sola Fosudo’s insights underscore the profound impact of the Above 50 football tournament, showcasing its potential to transform lives and contribute to a healthier, more engaged, and empowered community of individuals above the age of 50.
