“Zik Hall League Not Feasible This Semester” - J Kareem: A Peek into the Sports Minister’s Manifesto

By the celestial

“let us see if it would be possible next semester but this semester is not feasible.”

Prior to the start of this session, Mr. Kareem Jamiu Adetayo, otherwise known as J Kareem vied for the post of Minister for Sport, Zik hall, and won unopposed. Prior to the election, the current Sports Minister laid bare his manifesto, stating all that he is going to do for the hall if elected.

Peradventure, J Kareem came out victorious in that election and since then he has managed to fulfill some of the promises he made to the ‘Baluba’ citizens during the course of his campaign. It has now been observed that while a few achievements of J Kareem have been obvious, a chunk of the promises embedded in his manifesto has not been fulfilled even as he appraoches the end of the first segment of his tenure.

Promises yet to be fulfilled

The Sports Minister is yet to establish a Hall of Fame as he promised in his manifesto, or if it has been created there is yet to be seen evidence that Zikites can attest to. Having asked several Zikites if they can name some of the great names that have graced the Maracana pitch, it is evident that Zikites are still not aware of this information.

When he was asked if the plan is still feasible, the Sports Minister said, “we are talking to sponsors and let’s see if they give a reasonable response. Then nothing will stop us from doing it”. Perhaps it is the intention of the Sports Minister to construct an elaborate structure which will serve as the hall of fame, which will thus require outsourced financial support.

However, the idea of a ‘Hall of Fame’ for notable sports men that have passed through Zik hall implies a sustainable system of recognition that should be periodically updated. A digital form will therefore be a fitting approach to executing this plan. Interestingly, this approach will most probably not require immense funding.   

The Sports Minister also promised the revival of the Zik hall league which has not held since 2017. Earlier in the semester before the 8-month-long ASUU strike, fliers flew about announcing the revival of the competition and that it was going to hold soon after. At the time, Zikites enthusiastically began to register for the competition. It is understandable that the competition didn’t hold then due to the disruption by the ASUU strike.

But can this excuse extend reasonably till this time, after the school has resumed for close to 2 months? We are in the 9th week of the semester already and no news has been heard concerning the competition.

When he was asked whether the plan is still feasible. He said “let us see if it would be possible next semester but this semester is not feasible.” It remains to be seen whether the Sports Minister’s verdict postponing the Zik Hall League to the next semester will crystalize into reality.

Promises that have been fulfilled

The current sport administration has been able to ensure the legacy of Zik in sport is maintained. When the sport minister was asked on what he has done to ensure this. He replied by saying “we have introduced the freshers to how it is done on maracana and after which we hosted the recently graduated Zikites in a novelty match to honour them.”

Another promise that has been fulfilled is the introduction of indoor games such as Chess and Scrabble. He confirmed this by saying, “we now have board games that Zikites can participate in and we are also working towards winning the coming inter hall competition.” The Sports Minister made further clarification that a timetable will be drawn out with rules and regulations so that all Zikites can participate in it in their respective leisure time.

Zikites believe the honorable minister and his committee are working relentlessly on this issues. Nevertheless, Zikites would demand quick attention to these issues that have been raised concerning the sports arm of the hall.