Passion, Determination, Focus, Perseverance Are Needed In Production Of Sports Stars – Coach Ojo Azeez Bamidele

As echoes of excitement continue over this week’s end of the basic coaching programme at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos, one of the students Ojo Azeez Bamidele has reeled out values that are needed in the production of top athletes.

According to the new NIS graduate, who identified himself simply as Coach Ojo, the basic ingredients needed in the grooming of athletes are passion, focus, determination and perseverance.

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Coach Ojo explained these points during an interview with Sports247 after the ceremony, but he began by disclosing that it is not his first time of attending a course at the institution located within the premises of Lagos National Stadium, Surulere.

He disclosed, “I had been a coach even before I came to NIS, because I already had a certificate in football coaching in 2019. Up till the COVID period, I had an advanced coaching certificate from this same NIS. But, after that, I consulted my mentor, who advised me to return and perfect my degree with a basic course.

That’s why I decided to return here and do positional coaching in football. Due to new ideas that came up, I was also able to add the basics of fitness and conditioning.”

Ojo then gave a rundown of instances in which the basic course that he completed this week would come in handy for him as a trained coach.  He expatiated, “All players and athletes in general need fitness and conditioning to perform well. All athletes need it, not just footballers.

Anybody involved in sports needs fitness and conditioning. That means there should be a coach in that field to put them through.That’s another reason why I decided to come back here. I wanted to get the fundamentals of fitness and conditioning through this basic course.”

The smooth talking gaffer, who disclosed that he already has his own fledgling football academy, went on to rate as very high the experience he gained during his stay at the NIS.

“So far, so good. It has been sometimes strenuous but, at the end of the day, I thank Almighty Allah, who made it perfect for me. I was able to start from the beginning and end it in a good way. It was so exciting, because I learnt many new things in the course.

I was able to cope along with my colleagues in the fitness field, and I gained two or three things from them to add to what I already had before I came for this course. That made me more confident and competent. I was so glad to be part of the course,” Coach Ojo acceded.

He also outlined personal areas in which the course would be of use to him, especially in expanding his football academy and enhancing his market value in the coaching field.
“I am still trying to fund my own academy, which I’ve already registered as A.A. Global Sport.

With this fitness course, I believe it will be easier for me to get a sponsor. Although I’ve been in the coaching system before now, I can now expand. I’ve worked with schools and done things in terms of my football academy.

I’ve also worked as an expert in terms of organising athletics events, like inter-house sports and running competitions. This course will now help me to be proactive in terms of putting athletes in good shape and form,” he reasoned.

Coach Ojo, however, ended with a view that he can only encourage other people to enrol at the NIS, as he did, but reasoned further that going for a course would depend on their zeal and passion for sports.

“It’s all about passion, and it depends on each individual’s desires. The zeal you have for sports will make you seek more training. For me, I’m trying to develop the under-10 and under-13 that are less privileged in my own community.

Other people can do the same if they have focus, determination and perseverance. Athletes may misbehave but, as a certified coach, you know you have to calm down and be patient with them.

That’s where you need perseverance in order to be a successful coach,” he concluded with an emphatic tone.

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