How sport can support refugees in urban settings and fight discrimination

by Aruma Alphonsus Rapuluchukwu

Primarily, sport has created and continues to create a wide range of social engagement and enlightenment in addressing social issues in urban development. For instance, the case of racism has been and continues to be challenged by athletes who stand against harmful social dynamics through legal expressions and writings that they often display on their inner garments during matches. These writings are revealed by players to enlighten society about social problems in urban life such as terrorism, kidnapping, police brutality, racism, dehumanization, and other social vices. 

A notable example occurred in 2020, when Victor Osimhen, during his time at Napoli, scored a brilliant goal, pulled off his shirt, and revealed a message that boldly stated "End police brutality in Nigeria." This action directly awakened the conscience of Nigerian people and the international community to think beyond their assumptions and rediscover the necessity of unity and oneness amidst the discrimination that was evolving over time.

It is pertinent to note that racism has been and continues to be expressed by unprofessional and unsportsmanlike individuals who regularly go to sports arenas and stadiums across the world, often targeting refugees who travel from country to country in search of safety. Simultaneously, this discrimination has been and continues to be fought against by players, organizers, technical advisors, officials, coaches, and technical directors who collaborate in informing and enlightening players in their respective leagues to unite in fighting racism, thereby challenging discriminatory acts in society.

More often than not, we have seen Premier League players kneeling on their left knee while raising their right hand for a minute as a gesture of solidarity and unity in their effort to eliminate racism around the world. This consciously sends an eye-opening message to people to accommodate and accept others irrespective of their diverse skin colors, ethnic backgrounds, family origins, and countries of origin, thereby dismantling discrimination in society. As a case study, in 2023, fans of Valencia Football Club directed racist chants in Spanish against Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia, which brought him to tears. In response, the La Liga officials halted the match and went as far as imposing bans on those fans as disciplinary action to restore the unity of the game and end discrimination. These racist chants and expressions have most severely affected refugee fans and players who made breakthroughs in their football careers after enduring seasons of hardship in refugee camps.

Sport has enabled refugees to develop a sense of belonging, human development, and upliftment in reaching their life goals and fulfilling their dreams. As described, sport is indispensable and serves as a life-changing tool for raising impoverished refugees from the depths of abject poverty that has oppressed their lives. There are countless refugee players competing in major football leagues worldwide, earning substantial wages and salaries in urban areas. They have, in turn, invested their earned capital in assets and investments in their countries and urban areas, thereby increasing gross capital income and the gross national product of their countries.

Sport also serves as motivation and encouragement for refugees, providing relief from anxiety and the uncomfortable conditions of refugee camps. Following this trend, many refugees have excelled in their careers in sporting activities as players, coaches, referees, and notable officials. This development inspires those still living in camps to believe they too can succeed if they continue working hard in their chosen sports careers, thereby brightening their hopes for redemption.

In conclusion, sport has contributed significantly to supporting refugees in urban settings and combating discrimination. Considering the factors above, it is important to recognize that sport has improved not only the livelihood of refugees but also advocates for enlightenment, consciously and psychologically equipping them to firmly live with hope and motivation for redemption from their disadvantaged situations to more liberated and affluent living.

About the author

Aruma Alphonsus Rapuluchukwu is a Nigerian sports enthusiast with special affinity for soccer. He has a social media channel where he discusses, reviews and analyses the soccer games.

Image: Wikimedia Commons