Oguntoye Sodiq
On Monday, the Computer Science Department broke the six-year record of Mass Communication, by winning the highly competitive Student Union Government (SUG) Cup, named after the polytechnic’s rector, Dr Adeoye Odedeji, after a football competition.
Shotayo Samson, the president of the department, shares with Press Club MAPOLY, how his team prepared for the competition, conceding only two goals throughout the tournament and taking home the much coveted cup.
What is your name?
I’m Shotayo Samson, the incumbent president of the Computer Science department. I’m a Tech bro who specialises mainly in UI/UX design and related fields, with over four years of experience.
How do you feel about your tenure breaking Mass Communication’s six-year winning streak?
Well, I must say it is a really great win for us because breaking Mass Communication’s long-time record was something we didn’t expect.
We became the first-time SUG Cup winner; the first School of Science department to win the cup; the first team to win while conceding only two goals; the first team to win with the most clean sheets and the first team to win the SUG Cup with an unbeaten run.
My tenure has brought remarkable achievements to the department, and this SUG Cup victory is the icing on the cake for us… I feel great.
How did you achieve these feats?
I will give credit to our defense line and our keeper. They truly did a fantastic job, ensuring our defense stayed strong. I commend our keeper, especially for his crucial penalty save during the final match, which helped us secure this historic win and set these records.
How did you motivate and prepare the team mentally and physically for this unbeaten run?
Managing a group of people from diverse backgrounds can be challenging; it’s not always easy. But to keep them mentally strong, I constantly reminded them of our primary goal and what we stood to gain—the records we could break if we worked as a united front, despite our differences.
For physical readiness, we ensured each team member received adequate medical attention as much as possible. We scheduled training sessions at intervals to keep them fit and ready for the challenges ahead. We also placed everything in God’s hands before and after each match. So, I’d say it’s been God all the way.
Oh! This means without God, the team couldn’t have achieved this?
Yes.
Were there any significant challenges or setbacks the team faced during the competition? If so, how did you overcome them?
During the competition, we encountered some challenges. Even though we won all our group stage matches unbeaten and without conceding a goal, we still struggled with tactics, substitutions, and player connections. If we had addressed those setbacks from the beginning, we could have scored more goals in the group stage and possibly avoided conceding the two goals in the semifinals and finals.
But we thank God that we set our priorities right, and in the end, we got the reward.
What impact do you think this victory has on the morale and spirit of the Computer Science department?
It had a significant impact because, before now, many doubted our chances of achieving this feat, considering Mass Communication’s strong record over the years. Previous players from our department were often eliminated in the group stage or quarterfinals, but winning this tournament has shown every Computer Science student that there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
Now, they believe that big things can come from small places, and I’m sure they’ll be eager to defend the title next year. We may not be in school, but we’ll be here to watch them lift the trophy again.
How do you plan to build on this success for future competitions?
We believe this is just the beginning, and this success will be a reference point for future teams. When they look back at this moment, they’ll remember that if we could achieve this, they can achieve even more. This victory will motivate them during challenging moments in future competitions.
What future goals do you have for the department’s sports teams after this major achievement?
As department president, my goals for our sports teams include enhancing training resources, expanding sports opportunities to involve more students, fostering a supportive community to celebrate athletes, and securing sponsorships to support our teams. This will sustain our success and inspire future achievements.
How do you intend to enhance training and resources for skill development among Computer Science students?
To improve students’ sports skills, I plan to work with the new sports director to organise regular training sessions with experienced coaches and provide as much equipment as possible. This will create a professional environment for practice and skill development.
Additionally, I will seek partnerships with local sports clubs to offer students more training resources and real-world experience, helping them grow in their sports journey. These tasks may seem daunting, but with God, all things are possible.
What message would you like to convey to the students and Mass Communication team after ending their long-held record?
I don’t have much to say, except that Mass Communication truly tried, and I commend their effort. They pushed us to the last minute before we won with penalties. They’ve done well, and I’m sure they’ll come back strong next session. It will be a tough tournament again, and we won’t relent.
To the students, I’d say be loyal to your departments and give them your full support. Great things can happen from small places, and you never know when it might be your turn next.
What role did teamwork and collaboration play in achieving this victory, and how can this approach be applied to academic and departmental projects?
Teamwork and collaboration were essential. Each member brought unique strengths, creating an environment where ideas were shared and improved upon. Working together not only enhanced our performance but also fostered unity and a shared purpose.
This spirit of collaboration can be applied to academic and departmental projects. Open communication and collective problem-solving can lead to innovative solutions and a more enriching academic experience for everyone involved.
What advice would you give to departments or teams looking to dethrone a long-time champion like you just did?
To dethrone a long-time champion, teams should analyse their strengths and weaknesses to identify improvement areas. Building a supportive team culture and setting clear, measurable goals will keep everyone focused and motivated.
Additionally, teams should stay adaptable, maintain a positive mindset, and foster confidence and resilience to face challenges. By combining these strategies, teams can enhance their chances of victory over a long-standing champion.
Do you have any plans to celebrate this historic win within the department?
Yes, we did on Wednesday.
That was a huge success for us. I said it, that we played better this season and we deserved to win the cup and we did.
Congratulations to Computer science department 🎉