Runsewe commends Nigerian players for displaying cultural symbolism

By Ebere Chibuzor

The Director- General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has applauded the two Nigerian born Leicester players Kelechi Ihenacho and Wilfred Ndidi for their common display of patriotism in form of cultural symbolism during the English F A final match between their club and Chelsea football club last weekend.

Runsewe, who is also President World Crafts Council said a powerful and fascinating merger between culture and sports showcased itself immediately after the match.

“Beneath the pomp, glitz and glamour of the English FA final between Leicester City and Chelsea, a unique spectacular and outstanding show of patriotism was displayed. It came in the manner that Kelechi and Ndidi soaked themselves in their love for Nigeria by wrapping themselves in Nigerian Green White Green national colour to celebrate their victory over Chelsea football club,” he said.

According to him, there was the need to document, institutionalise and legalise the legacy of Iheanacho and Ndidi as a show of extreme love and indivisibility of Nigeria their country.

Runsewe said he was prompted to put up a request for artistic impression of their actions on that day, adding that with the collaboration of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Abuja, the NCAC will institute an art competition that celebrates the intersection of sports and culture referencing the Kelechi and Ndidi actions with the Nigerian flag in the Leicester City victory over Chelsea Football club.

The arts competition, which will be in traditional 2D Art (Painting, Print making and drawing to be done within a one mont, he said, will be open to residence of FCT only for now.

Other details of the competition including assessment and adjudication, the DG said, would be worked out with the Nigerian Society of Nigerian Artists.