NIS Graduates 107 Coaches In Uyo, 84 Earn Distinctions

No fewer than 107 football coaches have graduated from an eight-week Executive Basic Football Coaching Programme organised by the National Institute for Sports (NIS) South-South Zonal Office in partnership with Raytiding Consulting Limited and the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA).

The programme combined classroom lessons with practical pitch sessions, equipping participants with skills in coaching methodology, the Laws of the Game, player development, fitness, first aid and sports ethics. Of the 107 graduands, 84 earned distinctions.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey, commended the NIS leadership under Director-General Philip Shaibu for taking professional coaching education to the grassroots, beginning with Akwa Ibom.

Eno noted that his administration had continued to invest in sports development through the sponsorship of competitions and athletes within and outside the state.

He urged the graduands to apply their newly acquired knowledge in communities across Akwa Ibom, stressing that grassroots development was essential to building a stronger future for Nigerian football.

In his address, Shaibu charged the coaches to regard their certificates as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, professionalism and talent discovery.

He stressed that sporting success does not happen by chance but depends on knowledgeable coaches capable of identifying, nurturing and guiding players.

The NIS director-general also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports, AKSFA, Raytiding Consulting Limited, the programme facilitators and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.

The wife of the Senate President, Dr Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, represented by Hon. Mrs Eunice Thomas, also praised the programme and pledged her support for efforts to develop grassroots coaches.

Speaking on behalf of the graduands, AKSFA Chairman Samuel Umoh thanked the NIS for the knowledge and practical experience gained during the training. He pledged that the coaches would use their new skills to improve football development across Akwa Ibom.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included NIS Registrar Belmond Benson; Institute Librarian Dr Omoh Atsenokhia; Programme Coordinator Dr Abdulrasheed Oyakhire; Bursar Mrs Oluohun O. Nyakno; Raytiding Consulting Limited Managing Director Dr Majoroh Uruemu; Akwa Ibom State NUJ Chairman Nsibiet John; CAF/FIFA instructor Coach Monday Odigie; and South East Development Commission board member Adede Kufre Inima.