African Sports Monthly Vol I. Issue II February 2018 | Page 6

MAGAZINE
A Word from the Editor in Chief & Publisher
The Winter Olympic Games are upon us and the world is celebrating a strong presence of African
athletes who are representing their countries or taking part in an event for their country or the
continent for the first timel.
The novelty of a strong African presence at the Winter Olympic Games gives permission to
younger kids who might be watching it on TV in their home or at some public place to dream of
following in the footsteps of an Akwasi Frimpong or a Simidele Adeagbo or a Seun Adigun and
her teammates.  The Games themselves are a break from the vile political rhetoric and racial
divisions that are being stoked around the world and worse still, internal divisions between
Africans in the Diaspora and their families at home on the continent in the name of politics.
Africa’s blessing and talents, be it a natural resource or a human being ought to be developed
and utilized for the right reasons and that is to benefit the Continent, the Country and
Community where that person comes from or resource is found, and NOT for personal gains.
Africa has been blessed with the largest youth population in the history of mankind, the
continent's youth population is currently the size of the US and Russia combined, according to
the UN.
With over 70% of Africa’s population below 35 years of age, leaders and influential figures on the
continent and around the world should be thinking about how to alleviate the issue of
unemployment and help reduce the problem of crime in their respective communities.  Most
crimes happen in communities where there is lack of opportunities.
The Sports sector if fully developed could be an answer to solving the mass unemployment
conundrum in Africa. The problem is that, those who are in position must see Sports as an
avenue to not just engage the youth and meet their entertainment needs but see it as a viable
option to grow the economy and put people to work. It can curb unemployment significantly,
but its value as an industry that can spin off a host of other industries within a nation’s economy
has to be realized and fully understood.