It is not uncommon to spot old folks along the busy streets; steadily tuned to their radio sets in the afternoons of match days. Listening to the Ghanaian Premier League is a form of solace for lots of Ghanaians across the length and breadth of the nation. It is the case that majority of Ghanaians are funs of either of the two fiercest and most decorated rival clubs; Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. Generally, sports is welcomed and enjoyed by not only males but by an appreciable number of females as well.
The seriousness attached to UEFA Champions League nights are not exceptions for residents of Nima in particular – as their high level of engagement in football is enough testiment of the fact that sports is held in high esteem by the aged and youth within the vicinity. Nima is a famous suburb in the heart of the capital city of Ghana, Accra. Although the diversity of ethnic backgrounds of residents in Nima is quite evident, they are widely known for their showcase of high sense of brotherhood. Unless a ” Nimanian” sees not his fellow neighbour in a tight conner, he/she will hesitate not to tune his/her mind to engage in a sought of mandatory rescue mission aimed at helping a brother/sister out the cage. These people are usually admirably hailed by others for having such an enviable attribute.
Given the level of joy sports is embraced with in this neighbourhood, it has had a transformative effect on the minds of persons with regards to exercising regularly towards keeping fit and healthy bodies. On the flip-side; which opposes the boon it has brought, sports comes along with what is generally referred to as, ” a fear for guardians and a source of joy for the youth”. Sports betting has become widespread to the extent that a betting centre can be spotted at least every 200 metres within Nima.
The fear of guardians is not only triggered by how rampant these betting centers are emerging but also by its effect on consistently drifting the attention of their wards away from education. Parents whose children have been victims of this menace have consistently asserted that their children intermittently skip school and eventually cling to sports betting due to its addictive nature.
A number of middle to old-aged males have also not shied away from this engagement all because, the level of satisfaction they derive from the prospects of winning multiple amounts on their stakes comparably exceeds the pain of being at the losing end of the gamble at last. The most challenging aspect in trying to discourage these victims comes in a situation where sports betting fits rightly into their highly cherished hobby.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest negatives it comes along with is in the fact that it serves as a catalyst to breed lazy youth, which is a fear for the society’s future prospects. Constant practice of sports betting again creates a society of gamblers. It is fascinating to note that there are few persons among the pool who are not necessarily accustomed to betting just because it is related to their hobby, but rather they have already been drowned in the deep waters of gambling to a point they cannot cope with glaringly watching a couple of matches pass without giving it a try. Thinking through this, in a long run, this form of gamble is likely to imbibe some thoughts and actions of theft in the youth. To quence those desires of addiction, their only option might be to steal monies when they have not any to place their bets.
Globally, lots of countries have legalised the operations of sports betting companies but it seems massive awareness creation of its projected dangers have not found any headway – most particularly on the African continent. Only the case of Nima has been highlighted here, but to what extent can we disregard thoughts that these negativities are gradually affecting other jurisdictions in this country? As this case is brought to a closure, I think we all have voluntary roles to play in trying to curb the present and prospective dangers victims can pose to the vulnerable in society. I believe that Government’s potent regulation of and effective education on sports betting companies and the citizens respectively shall highly contribute in lessening the plight of hopelessness for the future prospects of our localities.
Peace!