JOHNNO and Seán play pool, while Ade and Olujimi contest a Nigerian board came called opon ayo – in the same recreation club.
This is the vision of a Dundalk businessman who’s bringing an African games centre to the town’s Mill Street.
“I have a pool table for the Irish,” assures Sunday Olatunji Dosu, the man behind the African Recreation and Heritage Centre. But the facility’s main purpose will be to make traditional African games and dishes available for local Africans under one roof, and according to Dosu excitement has been growing.
“If you were in Canada or Australia and saw something Irish, how would you feel? ” asks Dosu. “You would love it!”
Whot, a card game popular in Nigeria, and classic board game ludo will be available to play, while a range of pre-made African dishes should satisfy most appetites.
Dosu, originally from Nigeria, has lived in Ireland for 10 years, working as a forklift driver, for Xerox in Dundalk and as a taxi driver.
“Now I have come to this,” explains the Nigerian, who does not believe the troubled economic times will ruin his venture.
He foresees running the facility through club membership fees, and enquiries should be made within.
