Referee Tasks Coaches On Athletes Training

A World Association of
Kickboxing Organisation (WAKO) referee, Wilson Okon, has urged coaches to prepare training programmes in accordance with the current fighting rules to develop athletes.
Okon told newsmen that such programmes must be comprehensive enough to get kickboxers thoroughly acquainted with what is obtainable internationally.
“The idea is to ensure that our kickboxers are being nurtured in the right direction so that they will not be found wanting whenever they participate in international competitions.
“When they have the theory and practical knowledge of latest rules, it will help to boost their confidence and the issue of unnecessary penalties will be avoided,’’ he said.
According to him, such rules must include legal fighting areas, prohibited techniques and behaviour, legal techniques, hand, foot, knee and leg techniques, throwing techniques and number of kicks per round.
“These are some of the key areas that coaching crews must give priority during any training session, making sure that athletes are mindful of the prohibited areas,’’ he said.
He advised authorities and stakeholders to assist the development of the sports by sponsoring competitions at all levels so that athletes would showcase their skills.
“Competitions will be good platforms to assess athletes’ development and their areas of lapses which requires to be given more attention in subsequent training,’’ he said.
Okon advised coaches not to compel their athletes to win in all competition but rather use it to evaluate their level of progress in the upbringing of athletes under their supervision.