Bello uthman dolapo @dolapo_uthman - Twitter Profile

about 2 months ago · Glasgow

I used to share that exact view and even referred to it as the “slavery games” because, on the surface, the idea of Britain bringing together former colonies under the banner of the Commonwealth can feel uncomfortable. But, attending the Games in person changed my perspective. The history of colonialism cannot be ignored and debates about the relevance of the Commonwealth are very legitimate. But the Games are now far more complex than a symbolic gathering of former colonies. For many smaller nations (I talked an athlete from Belize, the smallest Commonwealth nation), this is the biggest international sporting stage they will ever have. These, and like many others, are countries that struggle for visibility at the Olympics can win medals here, attract investment into sport, inspire young athletes and tell their own stories to the world, using Enku Ekuta as example and the the reactions that is trailing her Judo medal win for Nigeria. At the Commonwealth Games, athletes from Caribbeans, Africa, Pacific states and smaller territories (50+ in total) compete on a level where they are not overshadowed by the traditional global powers (asides Australia maybe 😂). The Games also create opportunities for cultural exchange (like the showcase of Indian music yesterday for closing ceremony), people-to-people connections and sporting development that extend beyond politics. In Glasgow, I saw athletes from different backgrounds supporting one another, sharing experiences and building relationships that would not exist without this platform. From a Nigerian perspective, the Games have produced generations of sporting heroes, offered international exposure to very young athletes and served as a stepping stone towards world championships and Olympic success. Many of them, who may never receive global attention elsewhere become household names through these Games. Does the Commonwealth carry historical baggage? Absolutely. Should that history continue to be discussed critically? Without question. But after experiencing the event first-hand, I no longer see it simply as a relic of colonial empire. I see a sporting platform that has evolved into something many athletes, especially those from developing nations, genuinely value. Maybe the challenge is not whether the Games should exist, but how they can continue to evolve in a way that acknowledges history while creating opportunities for the future. (The attached picture here is a story idea I pitched to work on before coming for the games, but I am leaving the games with a very different mindset).

MrJoyoung's tweet photo. I used to share that exact view and even referred to it as the “slavery games” because, on the surface, the idea of Britain bringing together former colonies under the banner of the Commonwealth can feel uncomfortable.

But, attending the Games in person changed my perspective.

The history of colonialism cannot be ignored and debates about the relevance of the Commonwealth are very legitimate. But the Games are now far more complex than a symbolic gathering of former colonies.

For many smaller nations (I talked an athlete from Belize, the smallest Commonwealth nation), this is the biggest international sporting stage they will ever have.

These, and like many others, are countries that struggle for visibility at the Olympics can win medals here, attract investment into sport, inspire young athletes and tell their own stories to the world, using Enku Ekuta as example and the the reactions that is trailing her Judo medal win for Nigeria.

At the Commonwealth Games, athletes from Caribbeans, Africa, Pacific states and smaller territories (50+ in total) compete on a level where they are not overshadowed by the traditional global powers (asides Australia maybe 😂).

The Games also create opportunities for cultural exchange (like the showcase of Indian music yesterday for closing ceremony), people-to-people connections and sporting development that extend beyond politics.

In Glasgow, I saw athletes from different backgrounds supporting one another, sharing experiences and building relationships that would not exist without this platform.

From a Nigerian perspective, the Games have produced generations of sporting heroes, offered international exposure to very young athletes and served as a stepping stone towards world championships and Olympic success. Many of them, who may never receive global attention elsewhere become household names through these Games.

Does the Commonwealth carry historical baggage? Absolutely. Should that history continue to be discussed critically? Without question.

But after experiencing the event first-hand, I no longer see it simply as a relic of colonial empire. I see a sporting platform that has evolved into something many athletes, especially those from developing nations, genuinely value.

Maybe the challenge is not whether the Games should exist, but how they can continue to evolve in a way that acknowledges history while creating opportunities for the future.

(The attached picture here is a story idea I pitched to work on before coming for the games, but I am leaving the games with a very different mindset).

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Bello uthman dolapo

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