Unleashing the Winning Spirit: HKE dominates UNILAG sports

By Eniola Adegboyega

The Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education was established in 1967 and
produced the first first-class graduate in 1980.

The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Physical Education and
Health Education, with specializations in Exercise Physiology, Sports Psychology, Health Education, and Sports Administration and Management, and has produced many students up to the Ph.D. level in these areas.

The Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education’s name was changed to reflect the current scientific perspective on human movement, sport, and health promotion. It received full accreditation in 2005 to provide the following two degrees: Human Kinetics and Health Education.

This department is considered to be the best in sports at the University of Lagos. The department places a strong emphasis on wellness by achieving a high level of health through balancing and maintaining various essential dimensions such as social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, environmental, occupational, and physical activities. This approach has given them a
competitive advantage and led to their success in different sports activities.

Unilag Sun features Olusesan Oluwadamilola Oluwa Timileyin, a 400-level student of the Department of Human Kinetics. She has gained valuable knowledge in fitness, nutrition, and teamwork skills that have helped improve her skills in badminton. Timilehin has set her sights on becoming a professional badminton player, and in this interview, she shares her journey,
challenges, and aspirations.

How HKE shaped me
As a student-athlete, there are several benefits I have experienced through my studies in Human Kinetics. Firstly, I have been able to maintain my fitness level, which is essential for a healthy lifestyle. I have learnt a lot about healthy eating habits and exercise routines. Because
most times, we don’t know that some things that we do, like some lifestyle we do or we keep living kill us often.

Being a student-athlete in the Human Kinetics Department has taught me the importance of having a good sportsman spirit. Winning is not everything and it is important to accept defeat and use it as motivation to improve and do better next time. This mindset has helped me to stay positive and motivated even in the face of setbacks.

I have learned the value of teamwork. When you work together like you have a common goal, you can achieve better, and you can achieve greater things.

Being a student-athlete in this department has helped my self-confidence and perseverance. You learn to take things step by step, at your own pace, and not to rush yourself. This helps you to build resilience and the determination to succeed in all areas of your life. In summary, being a student-athlete offers you a great opportunity to not only develop your physical abilities but also learn valuable life skills that will serve you well in the future.

Inspiration and drive
Her lecturers and coaches are her biggest athletic inspiration since being active in the department. She admires their dedication to teaching and coaching. She also finds motivation from seeing her older coaches perform exercises she sometimes struggles with and uses her coaches as a benchmark for her progress. While others may be inspired by athletes like Serena
Williams, Timileyin looks up to her lecturers for motivation. “So I just feel encouraged and motivated by them that okay I really want to be better than how they were so I want to challenge myself that if this man, or if my lecturer can do this then I can do that. Some other people’s motivation can be Serena Williams, but my motivation is my lecturers.”

The attribute of success in sports
Timilehin believes that sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and motivation are the most important attributes for success in sports. She discusses various topics related to her experience as a student-athlete. She talks about how being a student-athlete taught her values such as honesty, teamwork, and perseverance, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise.

She shares her desire to become a sports journalist and to encourage others to exercise. When asked about how she deals with disappointment, specifically getting bad grades on exams, she mentioned the importance of taking responsibility for her mistakes, seeking help from teachers or seniors, and challenging herself to do better. She believes that failure is not an option and that with the right mindset and effort, anyone can improve.

Timileyin shared some helpful tips on dealing with stress. She stated some things that help her deal with stress which are, taking a break, and listening to music. It is important to find what works for you and take things step by step. A Passion for the sport is what keeps them going even in the face of setbacks and doubts. However, Timileyin believes that student-athletes need more support, especially in terms of managing their emotions and having access to adequate facilities, she suggests that providing sports therapy, commending small successes, and providing funding would help student-athletes thrive.

In conclusion, being part of an athletic team means valuing sportsmanship above all else.
Sportsmanship is characterized by qualities such as teamwork, perseverance, and motivation
which are essential in achieving the team’s goals. When athletes possess these qualities, it creates a positive environment that encourages teamwork and motivates everyone to improve over time. This is crucial in the pursuit of success in athletic events and it’s what should keep all
athletes going towards their goals. Student-athletes need to prioritize their health and seek support when needed. Knowing what motivates and drives them can also help them stay focused and achieve their goals.