After the one week long 6th edition of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Doctor’s Games, which held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, from the 7th till 12th of February, 2022 – we were able to speak with some of the participants and medalists at the event. Below are some of their experiences shared.
Dr. Lawal Oluwapelumi A., Female, Lagos Zone
As a resident doctor from Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital, Yaba, I represented the Lagos Zone at the just concluded NMA Doctor’s Games where I was an active participant. I took off from Lagos to Abuja in a very high spirit alongside my team mates and several other delegates. Over 70 of us partook in the games and our transportation was an all expense trip sponsored by the NMA Lagos committee, led by the NMA Lagos Chairman, Dr Adenekan.
I trained for months to participate in a number of sporting activities including female lawn tennis (singles and doubles) volleyball, basketball and badminton (singles and doubles). During the sports, I got silver medals in the lawn tennis (singles and doubles) and gold medals in the team sports – volleyball and basketball. My experience at the games was one of a kind.
The games kicked off by arrival of delegates on Monday (7th of February), followed by the opening ceremony on Tuesday (8th of February). The ceremony was beautiful as each zone dressed in their beautiful customs and attires while they marched/danced into the arena, zone by zone. Lagos zone had a very lovely entrance as we were uniform in beautiful green Ankaras sewn into different styles with black trousers. It was really beautiful, as we had the highest number of delegates present at the games. The ceremony was graced by the National NMA president, Prof Ujah alongside other dignitaries such as Former Commissioner for Health – Dr Mamora, Former Olympic Runner popularly called Blessing and so many others.
The games finally started on Wednesday, 9th of February with athletes all fired up to participate in their various sports including; Football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, lawn tennis, golf, athletics and indoor games such as scrabble, table tennis, Ayo, chess and Draught. The competition ended with the football final match between the FCT and South East zones. However, the most interesting game in my opinion was the final of the male volleyball between the south south zone and Lagos zone as different zones came to support their favourite team. This in itself made the competition very intense with both teams equally as good, making the score line really close and scary.
South south eventually won with 2 points ahead of Lagos and this brought back mixed emotional memories to me, as there was tears and happiness on the pitch by players and supporters. The games was concluded on the 12th with presentation of certificates, cups and cash prices to the gold medalists. Sunday was a day of saying goodbye to friends and colleagues who we have met and bonded with, as everyone departed to the airport to return to their various states.
For me, despite this being the 6th edition, I had no prior knowledge and had never attended any since the games began in 2014. Not even in 2019 when I already had my MBBS degree. Hence, this was a new experience for me as a doctor and a sportswoman – traveling to another state to represent my state. It was an experience I loved and would definitely want to do again and again.
One lesson I learnt from this whole experience was that sports actually unite people and it’s a good avenue to meet people for various reasons, be it political, educational, mentorship, friendship and bonding with senior and junior colleagues. At some point, I totally forgot I was a doctor as everyone was on a neutral ground (houseofficers felt free to relate with their resident and also with consultants and vice versa). So, it was a wonderful experience for me.
However, the challenge I faced attending the games was that I missed active work and participation at clinical events such as ward rounds, which could have been likened to been on a week leave. But this was better than being on leave, because I got a wider view of life and I would love to do it again as a member and representative of EKO for Show like we (i.e. NMA Lagos) were fondly referred to during the competition.
Dr. Sanni Daniel O., Male, Lagos Zone
I work with Ave Maria Hospital, Victoria Island as a medical officer. I coached the Female Volleyball team from Lagos that won the gold medal and also a Male Volleyball silver medalist at the just concluded competition.
The 2022 NMA Doctors Games was a very welcomed and much needed distraction from the usual everyday hustle and bustle of the medical practice. A lot of doctors from all around the country gathering together with the spirit of competition and sportsmanship – so intense you forget that these people are House Officers, Medical Officers, Senior Medical Officers, Principal Medical Officers, Registrars, Senior Residents, Consultants… All titles dropped for the love of the game.
The level of competition had also notably increased from what it was as at 2020. More awareness, more participants, more zeal and better organization. I would say it’s getting to the same level as the NiMSA (Nigerian Medical Students’ Association of Nigeria) or NUGA (Nigerian University Games Association) games.
Nonetheless, as much as Doctors love and are vested in various sporting activities, their various duties at respective workplaces make it very difficult to get practice, times especially for team sports. Doctors had to make compromises; swapped calls, paid others to cover for them, rescheduled, lobbied and tried all their possible best to be adequately prepared for the games. This goes a long way to show the level of regard people have for sporting activities which is a source of joy and getaway for many of us.
Also, some other things hindering participation still include, not enough awareness and publicity in some areas due to low participation from some zones and states. Likewise, hospitals (especially the private hospitals) not granting their willing doctors permission to participate in the games. More recommendations and regulations can be set in place to enable us to do better.
