By Ifeoma Aniagbado
The Anambra State Government has launched a statewide capacity building and certification programme for sports practitioners to strengthen grassroots sports development, improve professional standards and nurture young athletic talent.
The programme, launched on Oct. 8, is designed to equip coaches, administrators and other sports professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, train and manage emerging athletes.
Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, said the initiative aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of using sports to empower young people, create wealth and expand opportunities for career development.
Agha Mba explained that the ministry’s recent statewide data capturing exercise had established a database of sports practitioners, providing a foundation for better planning and targeted interventions across the state.
The workshop attracted key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Anyadiegwu Justin, and the Director of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Emeka Obidinma.
Presenting a paper on grassroots sports management, Dr. Nwokedi Ikenna urged practitioners to recognise their broader responsibilities as coaches, administrators, talent managers and role models for young athletes.
He outlined five key pillars of sports management: planning, organising, staffing, funding and control. He also stressed the importance of early talent identification and sustained training, encapsulated in the principle: “Catch them young, train them right, and keep them long.”
On athletes’ health and safety, Dr. Uwa highlighted the need for proper supervision during training, camping and competitions. He emphasised adequate nutrition, hydration, rest and safe sporting facilities as essential elements of effective athlete management.
Speaking on coaching ethics and career development, Prince Oliver Chijioke reminded participants that professional competence requires continuous learning and personal development.
He urged sports practitioners to uphold ethical standards and improve their skills, stressing that effective coaching depends on the knowledge and competence of the coach.
In another presentation, Princess Alban discussed sports laws, regulatory compliance and the distinctions between sports clubs and academies. She emphasised that parental consent must be obtained for underage athletes, alongside compliance with relevant legal requirements, to protect their welfare.
The programme underscores the importance of professional training, ethical conduct and athlete safety in building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talent across Anambra State.
Ifeoma Aniagbado is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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