Gone to Stamford Bridge? Influence of Foreign Football and its Digital Coverage on Youths in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Adeyemi O,Kola A

doi:10.4172/2165-7912.1000330

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of foreign football and its digital coverage among youth in Abeokuta. It examines the values portrayed by internet/satellite technology, the extent to which these values affect Nigerian youths, and the extent to which Nigerian youths’ exposure to foreign football through the internet/satellite technology affects their commitment to Nigerian football. The study employed qualitative method of Focus Group Discussion (FGD), using discussion guide to source data from youth in Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas. Among others, the study discovered that the major values promoted by the internet technology such technical companionship, global citizenship and technological determinism promote western values and interests, and have undermined to a very large extent the citizenship values of Nigerian youths. Nigerian youths have practically abandoned their citizenship values such as love and loyalty to the country, patriotism and commitment to national ideas, and have embraced the values promoted by the internet with their passion for foreign football. Furthermore, it was discovered that Nigerian youth’s interest in European football was motivated by good organization, adequate and quality facilities and good football on the field of play. In other words, Nigerian youths abandoned Nigerian football due to poor management, inadequate and poor facilities and insecurity at match venues, among many other factors. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Nigerian football should be overhauled. There should be proper funding to fix the facilities like quality stadia, provision of security at match venues and ensure proper administration of the game in the country. Youth football should be revived in Nigeria. Grassroots football should be re-introduced at primary and secondary school levels to discover raw talents for future greatness. Adequate arrangement should be made for marketing and sponsorship programmes. This will ensure that all league matches are relayed on television to cultivate the interest of the youths and all Nigerians.

Highlights

Marshall McLuhan predicted the coming of the global village, perhaps few people ever thought of the realization of the prediction and the extent of its impact on the world [1]
It is observed that Nigerian football, the hitherto builder of national pride had almost gone into extinction in the hearts Nigerian youths due to their exposure to foreign football and the overwhelming presence and visibility of the English Premiership, the German Bundesliga, the Italian Seria A, the Spanish La Liga and other football competitions in other parts of the world. It is in this respect that this study examines the influence of internet on development of citizenship - in relation to Nigerian football - among Nigerian youths in Abeokuta, Ogun State
Findings from the discussion shows that: Virtually all of them are quite knowledgeable of European football, especially the current sensation-English Premiership

Summary

Introduction

Marshall McLuhan predicted the coming of the global village, perhaps few people ever thought of the realization of the prediction and the extent of its impact on the world [1]. The Canadian communication scholar had said that major changes in human society would occur with the emergence of Information Communication Technology [2]. Ayankojo [3] explains that Information Technology has brought great and world-wide impacts in areas of business, trade, politics, economy, culture, media and other aspects of life. Another significant impact of Information Technology is the emergence of globalization. The scholar explains that ICTs can be classified along two dimensions: Content-Conduit dimension and Service-Product dimension [4]. Content-Oriented ICTs entails the digital creation and publishing of information content such as database products, electronic books and websites

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Discussion

Conclusion