By Emnmanuel Prince Umahi & Abioye Samuel Akorede
The Diye, Dadin-Kowa and Zaramaganda (DDZ) Old Timers Football Competition kicked off the 9th edition of its annual competition on Sunday, at RCM primary school, Zarmaganda, Jos.
The competition is purposely known to be a blend of sports, entertainment and an avenue for social development. This year’s tournament comprises six football teams and the opening game was between two teams pseudonym of Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars.
In the opening speech of DDZ Old Timers chairman, Mr Isaac Ejiga, on the purpose of the competition, he disclosed that the DDZ Old Timers football competition has been taking place annually for the past 9 years. It’s a competition for adult people above 35 years of age to help stay healthy and it’s also a competition that creates an avenue to give back to society.
“The purpose of the competition is to first promote healthy living among the old timers (adults above 35 years old) who participate in the competition yearly, to foster unity beyond religious diversity, and we also use the competition as a means of entertainment to kill boredom. Additionally, we use the tournament to give back to the society through charity”, said Mr Isaac.
The DDZ Old Timers football competition has emerged as a beacon of hope and revival of sportsmanship within Jos communities by featuring players 35 years old and above who have played local and international football to participate in the tournament. It has also, significantly, contributed to the development of Jos communities through the offering of scholarships to students, renovation of critical infrastructure, and the advocacy of peaceful coexistence of Jos communities.
Scholarships: Investing in the Future
At the heart of this year’s competition was a robust scholarship program aimed at nurturing young talents and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their educational aspirations. The organisers awarded scholarships to a select group of students from two schools, recognizing not only their academic potential but also their dedication to personal growth and community service.
These scholarships are more than just financial aid; they represent hope and opportunity, providing recipients with the resources to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.
The scholarships were given to 5 students from Obasanjo Model School Howlshe and R.C.M Primary School, Zarmaganda. These students were recipients of the scholarship program to aid them in registering for their common entrance examinations to secure them a spot at the 2024/2025 academic sessions in their respective secondary schools.
Receiving the scholarships on behalf of Obasanjo Model was Fushak Dayil, the head teacher of the institution.
He expressed gratitude for the kind gesture to the association for deeming it fit towards being benevolent, particularly to the less privileged within the community.
“I am most delighted for today’s occasion. I am even more grateful to the DDZ association for being thoughtful towards giving back to the society in ways that advance the educational structure, promoting quality education within our community and beyond”, Dayil said.
“The five students picked will be joining their peers in the 2024/2025 academic session in secondary school and by this, will be closer to their goals in becoming instruments of change in future”, he added.
Beyond scholarships, DDZ had been behind the renovation of a classroom of the R.C.M Primary School, Zarmaganda. This, according to Chundung Dokpam, the Assistant Head Teacher of R.C.M, has shown how invested the DDZ Old Timers are in promoting education and balancing it with sportsmanship.
“The DDZ Old Timers are a huge part of our success story today. They have been a part of our story since the inception of the competition and we have been beneficiaries of their kind gestures. In 2021, they renovated a classroom to ensure that students are properly catered for”, Dokpam said.
She added that the DDZ’s inclusion in their educational structure has prompted the institution’s decision to promote sports amongst students.
“Following DDZ’s involvement in our institution and their various donations of jerseys and football, we are encouraged to advise our students to get actively involved in sporting activities that will also enable them to become the next set of football stars ‘, she said.
Renovating Infrastructure: Powering Progress
In a community where reliable electricity has often been a distant dream, the DDZ Old Timers took a significant step towards changing this reality by renovating a long-neglected transformer. This critical piece of infrastructure had been out of service for years, plunging several neighbourhoods into darkness and hampering daily activities. The renovation project, funded by the proceeds from the football competition, has brought light back to these areas, quite literally powering progress and enhancing the quality of life for countless families.
Bernard Yesuk, a Lecturer of Mass Communication, at Plateau State University and resident of the community who is also a member of the organization expressed his relief saying, “For years, we struggled with erratic power supply, which affected our businesses and daily lives. The renovation of the transformer has been a game-changer, and we are immensely grateful to the DDZ Old Timers for their initiative.”
He also added that the organization has been pivotal to the development of the community, addressing multiple issues, and also providing the avenue for eased communication which is a tool for proper developmental communication.
“I have been a part of the DDZ old timers for 3 years now, and in being a member, I have seen ways in which the organization through shared communication provided an avenue for developmental communication because, at the least, stakeholders and principal people are reached, and engaged for various reasons that stir up change within the society”, he said.
He added, “This is a challenge to young people. Most Old Timers have played local and international leagues, made money and retired early for them, and they are now pillars of hope within this community. Football is a means to making money and retiring early to be of help as well to people around you. Initiatives like this should spur them because, that way, they can change the trajectory of things within the society”.
Peacebuilding: Uniting Through Sport
The most profound impact of the DDZ Old Timers Football Competition has been its role in peace-building. In a region often fraught with tensions and conflicts football has proven to be a unifying force, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared love for the game. The competition provided a platform for dialogue, understanding, and cooperation, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect.
The organisers also facilitated workshops and discussions on conflict resolution, encouraging participants and spectators alike to embrace peace and work towards common goals. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, with many community leaders praising the initiative for its positive influence on social cohesion.
G-Force, the ex-chairman of the association, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “The DDZ Old Timers have shown that football is more than just a sport. It is a powerful tool for building bridges and fostering peace. Their efforts in promoting unity and understanding are truly commendable.”
The Road Ahead
As the final whistle blows in the next few weeks on the DDZ Old Timers Football Competition, the cheers from the crowd echo not just the excitement of the matches but also the collective appreciation for an event that has done so much for community development. The scholarships, infrastructure improvements, and peacebuilding initiatives are tangible outcomes of a vision that sees football as a catalyst for positive change.
Looking ahead, the DDZ Old Timers are committed to expanding their efforts, with plans to introduce more educational programs, further infrastructure projects, and ongoing peacebuilding activities. Their work serves as an inspiring example of how sports can transcend the boundaries of the field to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.
In the words of Olukolade Abobade who played for Pietermaritzburg in South Africa and Nasekomo in Dubai, representing Eyinmba FC at the tournament, “Our efforts go beyond just community development and peacebuilding. We are looking forward to ensuring that we nurture the next talents that will be inspired by what goes on in the field of play here, and also, serve as role models to curb the urgent urge for quick money that is ravaging our youths today”.
In a world where the challenges often seem insurmountable, the DDZ Old Timers Football Competition reminds us that progress is possible when we come together with a shared purpose. Through their dedication and passion, the organisers and participants have demonstrated that football can indeed be a powerful force for good, driving community development and creating a brighter future for all.
