Issues in the current global world of sports, such as the 2010 World Cup held in Africa, will be examined at the seventh annual Sports in Africa and the Global South Symposium.
“The initial purpose was to bring conversation and reflection on sports,” said Gerard Akindes, who is the founder and coordinator of the event.
Sponsored by the College of Health Sciences and Professions, College of Business, African Studies Program, Multicultural Programs, the Center for Sports Administration and Ohio University Press, this year’s event cost approximately $1,600 said Winsome Chunnu, associate director of the Multicultural Center and coordinator of the event.
“The philosophy of the event is to look at sports as a tool for development, and how sports is used in these various societies around education, politics, communication and health,” Chunnu said.
The symposium will consist of sessions discussing sports, as it relates to the global world on various regions such as Asia, South America, the Caribbean and Africa.
“It will give students an opportunity to learn about these countries, their culture and the role of sports in their culture,” said Bose Maposa, assistant director of the African Studies Program.
The keynote speaker this year is Peter Alegi from Michigan State University. He authored the book African Soccerscapes, How a Continent Changed the World’s Game, which was published by OU Press in 2010. His lecture will focus on the 2010 FIFA World Cup and how it is a part of Africa’s contributions to the world of sports, and in particular, the game of soccer.
“He will talk about how sports are related to politics, communication, culture – students of all majors will see the interdisciplinary nature. Sometimes we take sports as our past time, and not as something related to other areas,” Maposa said.
Maposa also said she hopes students will also learn more about Africa, and not just rely on the common negative perception of the region.
“It is an opportunity for students to move away from this notion that things were just dumped into Africa, and that they accepted it. They can see how they (Africa) used soccer to their own advantage and how it contributed to the social and political aspect of the continent,” Maposa said.
Akindes, who is also the technology coordinator for the College of Health and Human Services, said he feels that this conference is a chance for students to really connect with the global community.
“Sports is a strong metaphor of everybody’s life,” Akindes said. “The world is changing and sports provide a new and additional perspective.”
@ThePostCulture
If You Go Box:
What: 7th Annual Sports in Africa and the Global South Symposium
When: 1-7 p.m. Friday, Keynote Address at 3 p.m. and film at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Walter Hall
Admission: Free
