A Lagos-based female football coach and leadership trainer, Mfoniso Udoh has advised young players to find a mentor, because they need other people to help them achieve their dreams, Sports247 reports.
The certified youth developer, instructor and motivational speaker gave this piece of advice while delivering lectures for female secondary school students at the 1st Goals For Girls Leadership Summit in Surulere, Lagos.
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Coach Mfoniso, who handled one of two leadership teaching classes that had 300 students divided equally across two days in the sitting arena of The Stable Sports Complex, Bode Thomas Road, gave her personal experience to back her words.
She also provided a graphically structured guideline called dream mapping, which revolves around ideas, strengths, actions and support that help children achieve all their goals in life.
While also emphasising the need for integrity, desire, passion and determination in the process towards becoming successful in life, Mfoniso stressed that seeking support is essential for achieving one’s dreams.
She explained that support can be acquired through relationships, cordial interactions and persistent inquiries – which all combine towards helping someone become an achiever of dreams.
The amiable coach added, “Integrity leads to a successful future. You might not see the results immediately, but I can tell you affirmatively that it will definitely help you in the future.
“Another method of shaping a successful future for yourself is through the use of dream mapping. It simply means making an illustrative outline mentally and physically of what you want to achieve and how you want to go about it.”
Mfoniso then proceeded to give her personal story to buttress her point, as she recalled how her journey as a professional football coach began a decade ago through help she gained from people who she approached for assistance.
The player-turned-gaffer recalled, “I am now a professional coach, but my journey started 10 years before now. I had always wanted to be a professional football coach, but I was wondering how I would achieve it.
“One of my strengths, though, was that I had strong passion for what I wanted to be … and I still have a lot of passion up till now. I also love to impart knowledge on girls, young people, and adolescents in general.
“I did not know how to start. So, I began by making enquiries. I asked people how I could develop myself to be a professional football coach. That’s how I found out there was a school I could attend in order to become a trained coach.
“So, I went there, registered, attended the course and soon completed the programme. That’s how I got to where I am today; and I’m now different from how I was 10 years ago.”
Mfoniso concluded by recounting that her route into coaching began with her dreams and passion, then stressed that it would not have been possible if she had not reached out to various people around her for guidance, advice and support.
“I did not achieve it on my own. A lot of people helped me … my friends, neighbours, family members, coaches, and those who I was looking up to.
“They all helped me to achieve my dream. This means you cannot achieve your dreams on your own. You will map your dream in your mind or even put it into a diagram, but that won’t make it become a reality.
“You must include areas of support and how to get it, then focus on how to make it work in order to achieve your dream. You must look for someone to help you bring it into reality,” Mfoniso reiterated
