Coach Canvasses Quarterly Camping For Athletes

The Head Coach, Ondo State Table Tennis Association (OSTTA), Segun Omoniyi, has urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to develop a programme for regular camping of athletes before competitions.

Omoniyi told newsmen in an interview this week that such camps could be held quarterly, to prepare athletes adequately for tournaments.                   “We don’t have to wait until competitions come up before inviting athletes to camp because there will not be adequate time to train them for a successful outing,’’ he said.                    According to him, the organisers of the camps should avoid any form of distraction that could affect their training programme.

He said that fire brigade approach to training had affected Nigeria’s athletes in major international competitions hence, the need for a long-term training programme.

The OSTTA coach said the welfare of the athletes in camp should also be given adequate attention, adding that “ there should be no reason, whatsoever, for them to complain’’.

Omoniyi also urged technical officials to update themselves with current trends in their sports. “There are vital techniques that can help to bring out the best in athletes and officials must be acquainted with them,’’ he said.        Omoniyi advised state associations to support school sports which, according to him, will help to identify talents in their prime for future competitions. “There are potentials in primary and secondary schools, and school sports is a major avenue that can assist in identifying them, so state associations should encourage the project,’’ he said.