Olusegun Folarin
What readily comes to the mind whenever the word “ABULA” is mentioned is a popular and traditional Nigerian dish, particularly prominent among the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria. It’s not a single soup but rather a combination of three distinct components, typically served together with a “swallow” food like Amala. Abula has however become one of the traditional sports in the country that is currently gaining ground among Nigerian athletes both within and outside like the popular traditional dish.
Abula is a Nigerian ball game similar to volleyball but played with a wooden bat instead of hands. It’s a four-aside game, with a high net (2.44m) dividing the 16m x 8m court. The game involves three hits per side, and the goal is to make the ball land on the opponent’s side of the court. It was invented by Mallam Elias Yusuf in 1984 and has gained recognition in Nigeria’s education system and sports festivals.
Key Features of Abula:
Players: Four players per side, with up to four substitutes allowed.
Equipment: A specially designed Abula bat and a smaller ball.
Court: 16m x 8m with a 2.44m high net.
Gameplay: Similar to volleyball, with three hits per side.
Objective: To make the ball land on the opponent’s side of the court.
Rules: 13 major rules and regulations govern the game.
Recognition: Patronized by the IOC, included in the National Sports Festival, and recognized in the Nigerian school curriculum.
Speaking with Journalists the President of Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, Hon. Olomo Agbadabina advocated the periodic staging of competition across the country to promote the sports.
Hon. Agbadabina said that the Federation was making frantic efforts to ensure that the game, ABULA is given the needed attention it deserves in the comity of sports in the country.
Also, the Secretary General of the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, Shehu Ishiaku Guti expressed worry that those that should be in the fore front of the game are turning their backs against the sports when it matters.
” Yes I will say that Abula is getting prominence but what worries me much is that most of our directors who are supposed to be the custodian of the sport during the council of sport meeting they are not giving the sport backing”
He thanked the leadership of the National Sports Commission for supporting not just Abula but all the traditional sports in the country.
So when next you hear Abula, it is a sport and not the popular Amala and Gbegiri.
