By Throwback Times Nigeria
The national coordinator of the Grappling Athletes Development Initiative (gadi), Olusesan Olukoya, has called for the inclusion of grappling in Nigeria’s school sports programmes as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development and youth talent discovery.
Olukoya said incorporating grappling into the nation's educational and sporting system could provide students with opportunities to develop physical fitness, discipline, coordination, sportsmanship and competitive skills while creating a pathway for identifying future athletes.
Grappling is a combat sport discipline that focuses on controlling, holding, throwing, pinning and submitting an opponent, rather than striking with punches and kicks.
Speaking on the potential of the sport in schools, Olukoya described grappling as more than a competitive discipline, stressing its educational value when introduced under qualified supervision.
> “Grappling can become an important educational and sporting tool when it is properly introduced, supervised and taught by qualified instructors. It can help students develop discipline, coordination, confidence, respect for rules and sportsmanship while also creating an avenue for discovering future athletes.”
### A pathway for grassroots talent discovery
Olukoya explained that introducing grappling in schools could expand opportunities for young Nigerians who may not find their strengths in conventional sports such as football, basketball or athletics.
“Definitely not every child will become a footballer, basketball player or sprinter. We must give young people opportunities to discover the sports in which they can excel,” he said.
According to him, a structured school-based grappling programme could allow students to progress from school competitions to local, state and national events, with appropriate age categories, safety measures and safeguarding standards.
The proposal aligns with the broader objective of strengthening the relationship between education and sports development, including the identification and nurturing of young athletes from primary to tertiary institutions.
### Promoting discipline and sportsmanship
The gadi national coordinator further highlighted the role grappling could play in character development among students.
He said the sport's emphasis on rules, supervision and controlled competition could teach participants to respect opponents, follow coaches' instructions, listen to officials and accept competition outcomes.
“The objective is not to teach children to fight,” Olukoya stressed. “The objective is to teach them a sport in a controlled educational environment.”
He added that school grappling programmes should be designed to promote sportsmanship and discipline while prioritising the safety and well-being of participants.
### Physical fitness and inclusive participation
Olukoya identified movement, balance, agility, coordination and body control as some of the physical skills developed through grappling, making the discipline a potential addition to school physical-education programmes.
He, however, emphasised that introducing the sport would require investment in suitable training facilities, equipment and qualified instructors.
Olukoya also advocated for opportunities for both boys and girls to participate in grappling, noting that students should be exposed to diverse sporting disciplines that allow them to discover and develop their abilities.
“We should create opportunities for boys and girls to discover their abilities in different sporting disciplines,” he said.
He maintained that participation must be organised around appropriate age groups, safety protocols, qualified coaching and effective safeguarding procedures.
### From the school mat to the international stage
Olukoya outlined a progressive athlete-development pathway that would connect school participation with higher levels of competition.
The proposed structure would move athletes from school competitions to local, state, national and international competitions, providing opportunities for continuous development and talent advancement.
He said the initiative's vision is to establish a system through which promising young athletes can be identified early, trained appropriately and supported as they advance through the sporting ladder.
Olukoya concluded that the structured inclusion of grappling in Nigerian schools could complement grassroots sports development efforts while creating additional opportunities for youth participation, talent discovery and long-term athletic development.
Social Plugin