-Bolaji Olasunkanmi/Pam Jenny /
Psalm 118 verse 23 says: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” as the family of Omotayo both home and abroad roll out the drums to celebrate one of their illustrious sons, a renowned Sports Psychologist, Professor Oluwaseun Omotayo who attains the age 60 years today.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion of his 60th birthday via a text message sent to our correspondents on WhatsApp,the elated Professor stated: “I cannot but thank God Almighty for his mercies, favours, grace, protection and accomplishments in my academic career.
“As I attain the Diamond age, I look back 30yrs of holding a Doctoral degree and as a University of Ibadan trained Sports Psychologist and 18years of Professorial Status and Sport Psychology practice since my appointment by Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya after 16 years of lecturing at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria,” he said.
He added that he is happy that he has rendred professional services to National and State Teams which included the Nigeria Contingent to the All African Games held in Nairobi Kenya, the Shooting Stars during campaign for Africa Cup for Champion Clubs, the National U20 team at the FIFA World Cup held in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia referred to as Damman Miracle. ” It is interesting to note that was the first time any Nigerian Team played in the finals of any FIFA organised Competition,” he said”.
Speaking further, Omotayo proudly mentioned that he was one of the Resource Persons that developed the ECOWAS Youth and Sports policy: “I was President of Sports Psychology Association of Nigeria (SPAN) and currently the Chairman of the Association Board of Trustees.
“I am the Vice-president (Continental) of Africa Sports Management Association and President of Africa Students Football Union.”
Professor Omotayo added that his message to up and coming Sports Psychologists is to be dedicated to practice by supporting the developmental programs of the professional Association as they discharge their duties.
In the same vein, he urged the Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare to transform the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos into a full- fledged Sports University by upgrading the status of the National Institute of Sports thereby turning the stadium complex from a Sports City into a Sports University City.
Currently, Omotayo is an International Visiting Scholar at the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana. He is married with children
