Coach Urges Recognition Of Efforts In Talent Discovery

An athletics coach with
the Lagos State Athletics Association, Adenuga Adegboyega, has called for equal recognition of coaches of athletes that performed creditably at competitions.
Adegboyega told newsmen in Lagos that it was obvious that athletes’ talents were properly groomed to stardom through the effort of the coaches.
“It is good to recognise and reward a coach that produces athletes who have distinguished themselves because the success is a manifestation of the coach’s effort.
“Some coaches even went to remote areas to discover athletes and gradually nurture them from the beginning to compete in competitions from the local government to the state level.
“So, it will be unfair to ignore the coach who spent his time and coaching skills to develop such athletes; besides, the idea is to appreciate his effort,’’ he said.
He said that such recognition would make athletes to be happy and encourage the coach and other coaches to be committed to the talent discovery programme.
The coach added that whenever such athletes were invited for camping ahead of competitions, their coaches should be invited— in that they are thoroughly familiar with the psyche of their athletes.
“Everything boils down to motivation, because that is the only thing that can help in grassroots sports development. Such recognition could come in form of training programmes, sponsorship or cash.
“A coach that identifies an athlete in his or her prime have a reasonable knowledge of his character and mood and knows the words to spur him during trainings and competitions proper,’’ he said.