Wholesome Athleticism, By Professor Emmanuel Ojeme
Athleticism captures the culture of man’s movement behaviour and activities which also expresses the psychomotor abilities of individuals and group of people. Athleticism involves a wide range of organized and rule governed movement activities or physical activities as in different sports activities such as track and field athletics, team games, aquatics and gymnastics as a way of life etc. In all of these cultural situations, are social organizations and systems which provide the ecosystem for athleticism to thrive.
It is also the case that athletic culture involves role differentiations such as:
a. Athletes or competitors and officials
b. Administrators
c. Coaches
d. Nutritionists
e. Sports journalists
f. Physiotherapists
g. Medical doctors etc.
Infact, there are also the financiers/sponsors and institutions involved in the athletic process. The ultimate goal, however, is to ensure that the athlete is empowered with all that is required to enable the elicitation or manifestation of the optimum possible performances within the framework of the guiding rules and regulations.
Athleticism loses its value if the elicited performances are not a product of the athlete’s potential/talents and practices. If it is aided by ergogenic substances or doping, then athleticism loses its value as the rules of engagement would have been violated. If the rules of engagement are violated, the culpable athlete or athletes could be banned from further participation.
In the world of sports, applauded performances, medals and honours are withdrawn from culpable athletes and such athletes are globally shamed. This defeats the purpose of athleticism. Very often, from time to time, Nigerian athletes of great repute have been found in this trap. The incidence of doping test failures is a disgrace to the culture of athleticism. It is also a sign of failure of the organizational systems saddled with the responsibility of moulding and guiding the athletes.
The concept of wholesome athleticism is aimed at elucidating the total role of the social organization and individuals involved in the making of an athlete. It is not just about training schedules, fitness, skill training and competitions but also encompassing the moulding of the humanity of the athlete. The athletes character, socialization to ethical standards, rules of engagement are all involved in the making of an athlete. This is the operational framework of the concept of wholesome athleticism. Coaches and sports administrators cannot be aloof to the ethical conduct of athletes even if they make them perform on the sports field and win laurels. The job is not done until the totality of the athletes humanity is ethically acquitted.
In view of the foregoing conceptual and philosophical rationalization of the idea of wholesome athleticism, it also means that the occupational education and socialization of practitioners in this field must take cognizance of the ramifying responsibilities attached to their roles.
To what extend are coaches and sports administrators amongst others provided with the training and education needed for their roles? When are we expecting the next violators of athletic codes of conduct either due to the negligence of the officials or negligence of the athletes? Both must be avoided.
#EOB
Professor Emmanuel Ojeme, sent this piece in. You can reach him via EMAIL:successojeme@yahoo.com
