Coaching Education ’ll Help Nigerian Basketball
Patrick Omo-Osagie is a Principal Consultant with Sports Concern Nigeria Limited. He has been a basketballer from his days in school, from Loyola College, Ibadan to CMS Grammar School, Lagos. He also played for the Lagos and Oyo States basketball teams. Omo-Osagie was the founding father of Islander Basketball Club, Lagos. He also own and manages Eko Fliers Basketball Club, a female team for years before leaving for Canada for further education and a teaching job for the past 16 years. Now a professor in Sports Management with emphasis in coaching method, Omo-Osagie spoke with WALE JOSEPH on Nigerian basketball and other related sports issues in the country.
How do you see the future of basketball in the country?
I think coaching education is the key to the development of sports generally in the country and not only basketball. From my experience in the last two years, my research showed we still lack understanding of coaching education. We have not been able to elevate our coaches to where they belong. This is also affecting the development of the athletes themselves.
What do you think is the solution to this problem?
If we recall during the recently concluded NBA clinic, one of the questions raised was when would NBA-Africa start investing in coaching? I think this is where the solution to the problem will begin. That’s my focus and a reason for my involvement in Nigerian basketball for now, is coaching education. I will not say that Nigeria is outrightly on the wrong track, but the nation is definitely not on the right track in terms of the development of the athletes. Obviously, we are not getting it right in the training of the athletes. That is an area I want to concentrate on for now. Coaching education is what this country needs to get to the expected height in the game.
Can you compare your playing days to what is obtainable now?
There is no room for such comparison. The problem is that our athletes are not being developed in the way it should be. This has to do with our method of coaching. It is not in tune with what we have across the world. If our nation has talented youths and we, as administrators fail to develop them properly they can’t make any head way.
Do you think Nigeria has the talents to achieve what you are talking about?
Absolutely, Nigeria has the talents, but it is also important to know how to use the talents. The reason is if you are tall or big and you don’t know how to use your height, it will come back to be a big problem.
Your advice to the federation and the clubs?
The federation needs to invest in coaching education. I agree that the problem of Nigerian sports is funding, but coaching education does not cost much. For example, the coaching clinic, which I conducted for the American Embassy a few months ago did not cost much. The sum of N5, 000 was spent on each coach, to take care of balls, canvases, books and coaching materials. So I don’t think it costs much to invest in coaching education. The country needs a certification programme for our coaches.
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