At 80, Dr. Osarieme Bazuaye laments the decline of Nigeria’s sports fortunes despite the country’s abundant talent. Bazuaye, who joined the octogenarian league on Saturday, August 24, was an exceptional athlete during his time at Edo College, where his achievements in football and cricket remain memorable.
“In form two at Edo College, I was appointed as the cricket scorer for the school team. This allowed me to visit and interact with students from other cricket-playing schools across the country,” he recalls.
Bazuaye, along with four other Edo College players, was part of the pioneering team that participated in the Sir Samuel Manuwa Cup for Secondary Schools in 1964. He later moved to CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC), where he earned school football honours and captained the school football team in 1966, receiving the MVP award the same year.
After graduating, Bazuaye joined the Electricity Company of Nigeria (ECN) and played alongside notable players like the late Paul Hamilton and Sebastian Broderick. Despite his football prowess, he never pursued it professionally due to his father’s disapproval, who believed academics were more important.
Bazuaye eventually followed his father’s wishes and was admitted to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1968 to study Veterinary Medicine. He continued to excel in sports, playing for the university’s football team and winning the NUGA 1971 football trophy. He was also selected among the best eleven players in West Africa during the 1972 West African University Games.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s current sports situation, Bazuaye emphasizes the need for proper facilities to nurture budding talents. He believes that the lack of facilities has contributed to the decline in sports performance. He advocates for restructuring sports along regional lines and providing an enabling environment for sports to thrive.
To mark his 80th birthday, Bazuaye has decided to establish a sports foundation at Edo College to support the school’s sporting needs. He hopes this legacy will outlive him and help discover and develop potential athletes. Bazuaye credits sports for giving him lifelong friendships and improving his health. Although he took up golf later in life, he always knew he would end up playing it, as it helps mentally and in overcoming life’s obstacles. “Golf is life,” he says.