Abstract
On November 28, 1948, the Enugu office of the United African Company Limited received a request from Dr. Carl Wilson to donate a silver challenge cup to the Okigwe district on his behalf. Dr. Wilson had previously pledged to W.O. Okoro of Ihube town, Okigwe district, that he would provide the district with a cup to facilitate the organization of a league akin to those established in other regions of colonial Nigeria. Subsequently, in January 1949, the Okigwe district officer received the cup and initiated plans to develop the Okigwe Football League, which came to fruition in March of the same year. The dynamics of the Okigwe Football League from 1949 to 1951 are examined by drawing from previously unexploited archival documents and anthropological essays. The intricate interplay between sporting activities and inter-community rivalries characterizes the league’s history. The broader socio-political landscape of the league and how existing animosities influenced its development contribute a fresh perspective to the history of sports in colonial Nigeria. From contentious referee decisions to team protests and interventions by colonial authorities, the Okigwe Football League emerges as a microcosm reflecting the complexities of colonial sporting engagements and local power dynamics.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call