At NIIA colloquium, don explains how Africa can achieve unity, growth through sports

Mr. Ron Davis (left); Director, Dept of Unity, Mwalimu Nyere Foundation, Tanzania), Prof. Ikawebba Bunting; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; DG, NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae; and Mr. Idy Uyoe at the First Sports Diplomacy Colloquium organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos … yesterday<br />

Sports has the potential to lead Africa’s unity and economic growth, but the content must exploit its talents scattered all over the world to achieve the desired results, a director at the Department of Unity, Mwalimu Nyere Foundation, Tanzania, Prof. Ikawebba Bunting, has said.

Prof. Bunting, who advised Africa to create a register of its athletes in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, said the sportsmen and women can be used as diplomats to great effect.

Speaking at the first Sports Diplomacy Colloquium organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, yesterday, Bunting advised NIIA to champion the quest for African unity using the continent’s athletes in the Diaspora, who can be used as global diplomats.

He said: “Officially, there are 300,000 Nigerians in Texas, U.S., but in reality, there are more than two million Nigerians in Texas.

“In the next few years, because of the Antetekounpo phenomenon, the entire Milwaukee will be a little Abuja. Already, AKeem Olajuwon is the mayor of Houston. So, Africa can leverage on these popular athletes to great effect.”

Pointinbgv at the effect of Senegal’s victory at the last Africa Cup of Nations to buttress his point, Bunting added: “Just imagine after Senegal’s