Whenever humanitarian and sports philanthropy within Kwara and Nigeria is mentioned, the name, Sir Prince Oladimeji Ladi Thomson readily comes to mind, Sir Ladi Thompson is the state Patron of Beach Soccer and the Kwara Pillar of Sports who has contributed hugely to the development of sports in the state and at large, In this interview with Holistic Infos, he disclosed his reasons for supporting sports, chances of the Super Eagles at the World Cup among other sundry issues.
Tell us a little about what informed your generosity towards sporting activities and humanity.
It is God who gives, we have the opportunity being in this position so we deemed it necessary to give back to society, and doing this, is a way of encouraging the youth. Apart from having an NGO that cater for the widows, I went into sporting activities which is my number one Constituency to uplift the standard of sports in the state and probably at large. That makes me look into supporting the youths for a better future, sports helps the youth, you can make a career in sports, and talking about sports we are not talking about football alone there are baseball, basketball, volleyball, and the rest which that engage the youths. Improving sports is helping the youths building their futures.
So we say let us see how we can support the state government because the government is doing a lot and I give kudus to the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Mr Bola Mogaji, He is a wonderful person and I know he is not doing it all alone, he is doing so well based on the support he is gaining from the Governor, His Excellency Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq who has provided a good environment for sports to thrive and that’s the protocol I am standing on also to be the Pillar of Sports in the state and we have done a lot to support sports, giving back to humanity.
Some pundits are of the opinion that you bought your selection as the Pillar of Sports by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Kwara branch. What is your reaction to this?
At my level, I have served in so many formations as far as sports is concerned both in Kwara State and in the country, so why will I be lobbying to be the pillar of sports? Mind you, the calibre of people we have in Kwara SWAN are of high quality and integrity, people with sound mind who are highly knowledgeable, they are not the set you can push aside or buy over, they held a congress and agreed. It is their responsibility and they found me worthy enough to be the man, they informed me and I consulted family, people in the sports circle who advised me to accept the honor.
I have been with SWAN for so long, I was their patron and we have been doing a lot together, I give support but it’s never an individual thing to move sports to the next level, it requires collective efforts and that’s why I am coming around to contribute my quota on how sports can move forward in the state, especially with the present government that has created enabling environment, whatever we have to support, we must do. That’s the reason I agree to be the Kwara State Pillar of Sports.
As Patron of Kwara Beach Soccer, you have sponsored a couple of tournaments and bankrolled the activities of the state Beach Soccer Team within Ilorin and beyond. What should Beach Soccer lovers and fans expect in the coming years.
like I always say we need to extend our support to other sports activities, after I have put a lot into football and Beach Soccer is another soccer coming to the state, we have to give it support to the level that it will earn support from every other individual and I want to thank those who supported us in all the competition we have had so far, it’s not only me, people gave us support, I always give kudos to the Chairman of the soccer Adedeji and all the board members for the job well done, they went around to solicit for assistance here and there and I added more to make sure everything was good. So in the coming years we are still going to solicit for assistance from some of these companies and talk to the Government as well to give us more support they are supporting us but we need more, and now that we have a commission under the able leadership of Mr Bola Mogaji I will speak with him and he’s somebody who has a listening ears, so next year will be a very good year for soccer and not only beach soccer but all the sports in the state. -This is one major way we can engage the youth that they will shun social vices-. Sports has nothing to do with religion, ethnicity or age. It brings people together .
You were one of the football administrators to the last world Cup, what advice do you have for the NFF and the Super Eagles towards their qualification and participation in Qatar particularly now that we are searching for the replacement of Gernot Rohr?
The NFF officials are people of integrity who have experience in football so we have to give them the necessary support and the free hand, they know what to do though require our advices If they think it’s right for Gernot Rohr to stay, so be it and if it’s the other way round, it’s all to the development of football in the nation.
Talking about the qualification and participation at the World Cup, I will advice that it’s better to allow the teams to come together on time, let them have some friendly matches so that they can blend together though this requires a lot of money which I know that the NFF is finding it difficult now, I think with support here and there, they will find their way so that they can allow upcoming footballers blend and gel together with the experienced ones. We have great footballers in this nation, what they need is motivation and I know they will definitely have that.
In your own opinion, would you suggest a local coach as Gernot Rohr’s replacement or we should go for the foreign Coach as usual?
When we are talking of football, sometimes we limit it to within ourselves and it’s not lIke that, there is nothing wrong if they hire a foreign coach and there is not wrong again looking inward for a coach. What matters is the experience and the needed requirements, we have to study the records of whoever is coming, his performance in his previous football teams and his managerial skills.
We have great local coaches who have excelled with the team in the past and we have a lot who can do it again, and for the foreign gaffer, we equally have many doing well in Europe and the likes, what matters is getting the right man for the job.
Based on the successful cheek surgery of our wonder kid, Victor Osimhen, he is likely to miss the Nations Cup, do you think Nigeria will miss this guy despite the array of stars in the number 9 position?
When you have a player you know very well and cherish his performance, you may think there’s no replacement, Osimhen had surgery, we must allow him to rest, take good care of himself so that he can come back nice again. We have so many qualities in that position, when they try others, I believe they will prove themselves to the coaching crews and the Nigerian fans, so Osimhen should not be rushed back into the team, he should take his time and recover fully so that his career may not be in jeopardy
Since coming into sports administration and philanthropy, what has been your regret so far?
Actually I don’t have any regret, when you are doing things with passion, when you love the thing you do, there won’t be any regret. Probably people talk about regret when you lose a match but that doesn’t suggest a regret. Sports is a game where you win some and m lose some, you don’t put regret into losing because, that will not allow you to move further. So I don’t have any regret as far as I am concerned. When you win, you get spurred to do more and when you lose, you make amend in subsequent encounters
What advice do you have for the public towards engaging in daily exercise?
Exercise is very important to our health. I will use myself as an example, I go to the stadium everyday to make about 1 and half hour walk and I notice that takes you away from ailments and unnecessary medication. When you exercise a lot, you will see the difference, you will sleep nicely, you will always be in perfect condition and you will be happy doing it.
How do you unwind or relax after the day’s activity?
Someone who works so hard must always create time to relax, so in the evening, I sit with friends, we discuss sports, politics and learn from one another, through that we get to know what we don’t know before but that is definitely after my daily exercise.
