Beyond The Pitch: Revamping Football Culture In the University Of Ibadan

Mahbubat Kanyinsola Salahudeen
Death. Taxes. And football fever in the University of Ibadan – some things in life are simply inevitable. As the season kicks in, the familiar buzz of football excitement and unparalleled anticipation sweeps through campus, promising the highs, lows and drama that only student tournaments can deliver.
Overtime, football culture in this citadel of learning has gained significant traction from both athletes and spectators alike. Matches at the Old Sub pitch often serves as a breeding ground for quite a number of fascinating prospects—some of which hold aspirations to play the game at a professional level—whilst igniting the student community with a plethora of tournaments including the Dean’s Cup, the biennial Inter-hall Sports tournament, and the ongoing Sigma Chief Cup which kicked off on Monday.
While football culture at the University of Ibadan thrives, there is room for growth—or rather, a pressing need to break free from the repetitive patterns of campus football. Significantly, like women’s football, youth development in football is starting to gain significant attention, with local and international clubs showing increasing interest in young prospects, and Sports bodies putting in place initiatives to enhance the development of youth football.
For instance, the recently concluded All-African University Games (FASU) in Lagos showcased Africa’s finest university athletes and inspired the next generation of sportsmen and women. There, the University for Development Studies, Ghana, won the final football match against the University of Lagos, earning tickets to represent Africa at the 2025 FISU University Football World Cup in Dalian, China, and the Summer World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. This underscores the growing momentum of youth football on the global stage.
Football culture at the University of Ibadan is rich and arguably at its peak, but beyond the excitement of major tournaments, there exist persistent shortcomings that have lingered for years. What are these setbacks?
VIDEO FOOTAGE? NONEXISTENT
In football, talent is not just recognized, it is proven on the pitch. The absence of video footage showcasing players’ performances is a major setback, especially for players in desperate need of opportunities to advance their career beyond the walls of the institution. The football landscape is highly competitive and for many aspiring football players, reaching the professional level is the ultimate definition of success. But while many hold aspirations to play in some of the best—or decently paying—football leagues, only a few end up making it to the top.
The road to success is particularly steep for African athletes (Nigerians), where limited opportunities, resources coupled with low investment in youth development over shadow raw talent. With young athletes in need of opportunities, video clips of players in action could prove significant as it serves not only as a tool for self promotion but also serves as a means through which scouts, and coaches could have a glimpse of their potential. With well shot and detailed footage, UI players can optimize the numerous opportunities, such as applying for international scholarships. Colleges and universities in America, Germany, and England are becoming increasingly keen on African talents there by offering scholarships—some of which are fully funded—that allow student-athletes to pursue football aspirations without compromising academic excellence.
The success of student athletes ought to be of primary concern for sports bodies in the University of Ibadan including the UI Sport council and Sport Committees and as such should implement strategies to ensure that outstanding performances—such as dazzling goals, precise tackles, and crucial saves—are captured on video. Investing in professional videography or creating a dedicated media team of students can provide players with high-quality footage to showcase their abilities. This not only allow players optimize international opportunities, but serve as a major source of entertainment for students who wish to relive past experiences.
THE NEED FOR SCOUTS
They say opportunity knocks but once, but for young athletes, opportunity knocks when the right eyes are watching—and those eyes belong to scouts. With several football tournaments kicking off this semester, the presence of scouts has the potential to transform a player’s journey, turning a mere campus match into a ticket to professional opportunities.
Every year, quite a number of young players display extraordinary talent during matches, particularly at the Old Sub pitch. Sports bodies in the University of Ibadan have a unique responsibility in shaping the future of young athletes by acting as a link between raw football talents and professional opportunities. One significant approach is by facilitating the presence of scouts at these tournaments.
The success of a football competition goes beyond acquiring sponsorship, instead, it lies in its ability to connect talents to the limited opportunities in the football world. By partnering with scouts or even local clubs like Shooting Stars in Ibadan, UI Sports committes can ensure that scouts, who are constantly in search for promising talent, have access to witness firsthand, the skill and potential of these players. Taking up this responsibility not only provide student athletes with the needed opportunity to turn their dreams into reality, but also elevate the profile of student tournaments beyond mere institutional event. After all, for many young players, all it takes is the right set of eyes, at the right place and time.
REAL INCENTIVES BEYOND TROPHIES, AND MEDALS
More often than not, tournaments culminate in a moment of celebration — a team lifting a trophy, medals gleaming across the chests of players, and sometimes, cash prizes exchange hands. These are traditional hallmarks of victory. In tournaments like the Dean’s Cup or the Inter-Faculty football competition, scenes like this are familiar and are cherished by fans and players alike, symbolizing hard earned victories. But, although symbolic, these rewards fail to address the pressing issues faced by UI football players. So, what if these rewards were more that just symbols of achievements and players were instead awarded facilities such as football jerseys, gloves, or boots?
More often than not, spectators are left grappling with the conundrum of distinguishing players, largely due to mismatched jerseys worn by some athletes. According to the Chairman of the Sigma Cup committee, Loyalist Afolabi Gideon, the ongoing Sigma Chief Cup enjoys sponsorships from companies like MTN, Tecno, and Red Bull, showcasing the commitment of sports committees towards securing partnerships. While this is commendable, these partnerships could be channeled towards providing essential facilities like jerseys and boots. Many UI players are crippled by financial constraints limiting their access to these necessities.
Collaborating with sporting companies like Nike, or directly purchasing these facilities will provide the athletes with high quality boots, gears or other facilities. This initiative will not only empower them, but also ensure their consistent participation in matches. As it will eliminate the need to borrow facilities or sit out of games due to lack of resources.
LIVE COMMENTARIES AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Football in UI is more than just a sport; it is a culture that unites students, igniting long-standing rivalries and fueling unparallelled anticipation. While the energy from the pitch remains palpable, there exists an untapped opportunity to extend this vibrant football culture— especially the players—beyond the walls of the institution. Like mainstream football, not everyone makes it to the stadium which is why many opt for live commentaries and video clips on social media. For instance, during the UISU Inter-hall Sports Tournament two years ago, WhatsApp groups such at “The Football Fanbase” served as go-to platform for live commentaries and video clips, helping student fans stay updated.
At present, WhatsApp dominates as the primary platform for live commentaries on matches. Although effective, the reach of WhatsApp is rather limited and does little in offering the level of engagement and visibility the tournaments and players deserve. With players such as Agbetuyi John and Odunukan Gbemiga producing stellar performances, a stronger digital presence could pave the way for opportunities and even sponsorships. With features such as player spotlight, highlight reels, behind the scenes player stories and use of hashtags, platforms like X, or Instagram can be used to secure such digital presence and could change how football in UI is perceived.
Football is more than just a game, and the university of Ibadan has long been a homeground for several highly skilled football players and that is not a self celebration. However, without addressing the longstanding challenges that plague the sport, these talents are at risk of joining a bandwagon of youths with untapped potential. Hence, the administration must put in place measures to enhance the culture of campus football.