As the search continues for a proper sports ecosystem to grow in Nigeria from youth bases to elite levels, a call has gone out for the emergence of ‘competent, trained and certified manpower at the grassroots,’ with proper records also maintained.
This was tabled by Anambra State commissioner for youth development and sports, Honourable Patrick Agha Mba, while announcing the introduction of data capturing, retraining and certification exercise for instructors, officers and administrators.
Sports247 reports that Mba further said the drive is aimed at standardising the qualifications of trainers and other practitioners in the state, towards sanitising the talent develoment structure and strengthening the discovery of future stars at the grassroots.
He disclosed further that the move arose from a revelation that many sports instructors and administrators in schools, academies, clubs and communities are operating without formal registration and in need of modern coaching principles.
The commissioner added that the ministry has now made it mandatory for all sports officers, instructors, coaches and administrators to register and make themselves available for data capture, which will help the state plan better for national programmes.
He pointed out that the exercise is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of repositioning sports, not just as recreation but as a critical tool for youth empowerment, job creation, talent discovery, grassroots development and social cohesion.
Mba disclosed, “Our checks have shown that many individuals parading as Sports Instructors, Sports Officers and Administrators in schools, academies, clubs and communities across the state are operating without any formal registration with the Ministry.
“(They are operating) without standardized knowledge abput the modern fundamentals of sports, safety, first aid, talent management and ethics. You cannot have a thriving sports ecosystem without competent, trained, and certified manpower at the grassroots. We must have a solid foundation.
“This certificate will be a basic requirement for anyone who wishes to practise as a sports instructor or administrator in any sports facility in the state. Only certified personnel are allowed to train our young people because the safety and the future of our young people are paramount.”
Sports247 gathered further that registration forms will be available from Monday at the state’s Ministry of Youth Development as well as Ministry of Education, ASUBEB, PPSSC, sports associations, state-owned stadiums and sports officers in all local government areas.
