Taju Disu named Games Ambassador by GATIG
The Gateway Tertiary Institutions Games (GATIG) Council has announced ex-international Taju Disu as an ambassador for the forthcoming GATIG Games, according to a statement issued and signed by the GATIG Council chairman, Mr. Kehinde Olalekan Adeyemi.
Adeyemi stated that the selection of Disu was influenced by his background and accomplishments; he is a product of school sports and has represented Ogun State with dedication throughout various phases of his football career.
Reacting to the appointment, the ex-Flying Eagles Captain expressed delight at being considered worthy as a GATIG Games Ambassador, saying, “I’m excited to be appointed as an Ambassador for the GATIG Games, because the philosophy is to catch them young, and I will do my best to make it stand by making sure that it’s an annual event.”
Disu said the game will definitely produce future stars because he’s also a product of school sports, from Flying Eagles to Academicals and to the senior national team, saying if he had not gone through school sports, probably he wouldn’t have been discovered, hence his excitement for the opportunity to give back to school sports.
He explained that things are quite different when comparing their time to the present, emphasizing that the situation for student-athletes today is significantly different from what it was during their playing days.
“You don’t have to know any coach, you don’t have to know any manager or have a godfather before you’re invited for a national call-up, but now, it is godfatherism; if you don’t know anybody up there, you will not be invited.
“Everything now depends on who you know and not what you know, and that is what is making us not to get it right. We keep losing lots of medals because we’re not putting the round peg in the round hole.”
“During our own time, it is your skill that will earn you a place in the team. It was through our skills that we got invited to represent our various states from where we graduated into the national team, but now the reverse is the case.
“You will have to have a godfather who will speak for you, and they will throw away lots of good players that do not have a godfather, and that is not a good way to go.”
Advising the present student athletes on a successful career path, Disu said they must have a submissive spirit by cultivating the habit of respecting whoever is in position of authority. They meet in their journey, either, captain, coach, team manager, chaperone, or event teammates.
“What I noticed these days is that most of our kids now lack discipline. Skills without discipline will take a sports person nowhere. Most of my mates in football that don’t have discipline during our times didn’t end well. They all fell by the wayside because they’re not disciplined.
“A coach will tell you it is 3 o’clock for training, and you stroll in by 4 o’clock because you think you’re the best; it will definitely haunt you.”
Disu noted that an athlete that wants to be successful must adhere to the three ‘Ds,’ which are discipline, determination, and dedication.
“These principles are essential not just in sports, but in all areas of life. By embodying the three ‘Ds,’ athletes can cultivate a mindset that drives them toward their goals and helps them overcome challenges along the way.”
