Portsmouth Football Club has named Nigerian poet Bash Amuneni as its new Poet-in-Residence, marking a significant cultural milestone for the 126-year-old club. The incredible spoken word artist, will create commissioned poetry to capture the essence of the club, its fans, and the game.
As Poet-in-Residence, Amuneni will contribute to the club’s official materials, deliver matchday performances, and engage with the local community through literary workshops. His role aims to bridge the world of football and poetry, adding a unique artistic dimension to the fan experience.
A poet, performer, architect, and project planner known for exploring humanity’s capacity for love through his poetry, Bash Amuneni lives in England & Nigeria. He doubles as the General Manager of Abuja Literary Society, Nigerian Ambassador to the World Poetry Slam Organisation and African Cup of Slam Poetry. He has been a guest at Lagos Poetry Festival, ALITFest, KABAFest, Port Harcourt Poetry Festival, Poetry Africa, SLAMeroun, and other platforms. He has also worked with global brands like Oando, Glenfiddich & Balvenie whiskey, Options Consultancy Services, USAID, British Council, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, United Nations, The Nigerian Lottery Commission, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, European Union, the Nigerian Navy, and many more.
Bash Amuneni’s has been recognized for his evocative storytelling and ability to connect diverse audiences. His works explore the subtleties of the human condition. His collection of poems, There is a Lunatic in Every Town, delves into themes of love, memory, and the human experience.
His appointment follows Portsmouth FC’s tradition of embracing diverse influences, previously seen in its connection with Nigerian footballers such as Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and John Utaka.
Portsmouth FC’s appointment of Amuneni signals a fresh step in football’s engagement with the arts. His contributions are expected to enhance the club’s storytelling and deepen the emotional connection between fans and the game.
Congratulations on this incredible feat, Bash Amuneni!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
