Olukayode Babalola
Keffi (Nasarawa state) June 11, 2024 (NAN) International Olympic Committee (IOC) in collaboration with Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) have organized a seminar for 30 women coaches, sports administrators on overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their chosen profession.
Prof. Florence Adeyanju, Chairperson, NOC Women Commission made this known to newsmen on Tuesday in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on the sidelines of a seminar for female coaches, sports administrators from states in the North Central geopolitical zone of nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NOC through it’s Women Commission is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the seminar and expected to also hold the seminar in each of the other geopolitical zones of the country at specific dates.
The seminar with the theme “Capacity building in sports” had in attendance women coaches and sports administrators from Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Niger states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Adeyanju explained that the essence of the seminar is to give awareness to women coaches and sports administrators, give them confidence and teach them on strategies on how to overcome obstacles in their jobs and make it as a woman coach or sports administrator in the country.
“In an attempt to be successful they face a lot of obstacles. Usually people don’t believe the female can do a job in this profession. They don’t believe they are disciplined enough or have the skills to succeed.
“Apart from the cultural, religious and many other obstacles which they have to overcome, when it comes to authority many people don’t believe women should be in the position of authority in sports including that of coaching and sports administrator.
“But there are good female coaches and sports administrators out there but people don’t believe in them because they are females. So this seminar is to equip the participants with strategies on how to over come these obstacles and perform excellently in their chosen profession,” she said
Adeyanju pointed out that among other strategies, to change the narrative of the society on women coaches and sports administrators, participants need to ensure that attention must be given to media coverage of the different sports they are involved in.
Adeyanju said this will go a long way in changing the narrative of the capacity of women in sports especially in positions of coaches and sports administrators and encourage sponsorship.
“So they should be encouraged in carrying out their duties. Obstacles should not weigh them down. Instead they should plan towards overcoming the obstacles,” she added.
She said after the training a team from the NOC Women Commission will monitor the participants to see how they are performing in their various states with a view to giving support where necessary.
In an interview, Maureen Tyoakaa, a Volleyball Coach from Benue state described the seminar as timely, an eye opener and a form of weapon in breaking barriers and obstacles facing women in sports in Nigeria.
“This seminar has really open our eyes to so many things and I am really grateful for the organizers. For me when I started in sports I had so many discouragement. Discouragement such as any woman who ventures into spots will not want to go to school and so on.
“But I thank God I had a supportive father who actually bought my first training kits for me. In the course of this program I have really gotten my stand on how to overcome obstacles facing me as a coach.
“I have learnt that maybe with all those things I can even use myself as an inspiration to inspire others,” she said. (NAN)