At the Legacy pitch, Sports247 had an insightful conversation with Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and the pioneer of the football supporters club in Nigeria.
He introduced the intriguing concept of “Above 50 Football,” an innovative initiative aiming to empower individuals above the age of 50 to stay active, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and even earn money through football.
Rafiu Ladipo explained, “Above 50 Football is a new creation, a new innovation. It allows anyone above 50 years to participate in football. Many of these individuals were active football players in their youthful years, but as they approach 38/40 years, they retire and become less active. This shouldn’t be the case for anyone with a football background. Even if you haven’t played football professionally, you can still engage in the sport above 50 to keep fit and lead a healthy life.”
The vision behind “Above 50 Football” extends beyond physical well-being. Rafiu Ladipo expressed the desire to create opportunities for individuals above 50, helping them achieve financial security and a higher quality of life. He stated, “Our focus is to help people above 50 stay fit, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and also provide them with an avenue to make money. We envision a future where anyone who joins the Above 50 Football Club can own a house and car within three years, leading a standard of life better than before.”
The initiative, which is about three months old, has already attracted international attention. Countries like Brazil and Mexico have expressed interest in participating in matches with the Nigerian teams.
Ladipo plans to build a community-based approach, encouraging various communities to form football clubs for individuals above 50. These clubs will then register with the Above 50 Football initiative, leading to a championship where the winning team receives a cash prize of 5 million naira, and the first and second runners-up receive 2 million and 1 million naira, respectively.
Currently, eight teams are participating in the competition, including Abeokuta, Ikeja, Surulere, Alimosho, Itire-Ikate, Ajegunle, Redemption camp, and Badagry.
Dr. Rafiu Ladipo aims to expand the initiative into a league involving multiple communities with above 50 clubs, creating an engaging and empowering environment for seniors to stay active and vibrant.
In conclusion, Rafiu Ladipo emphasizes that old age should not be viewed as a curse; instead, “Above 50 Football” represents the beginning of a new chapter in life, full of vitality and opportunities for senior individuals.
