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By Joe Apu
A total of 40 basketball coaches drawn from across the South West states of Nigeria were among those who participated in a one-day teach-the-trainer coaching clinic held at the Officers Mess Gynasium inside the Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking on the initiative, Coach Marvin Menzies who is currently the head men’s coach at the University of Missouri–Kansas City stated that the idea of teaching the teacher by the M2 Basketball Academy is drawn from giving back to help enrich Nigerian coaches in doing their jobs.
“Having coached the game of basketball for 41 years and now aged 61, I have come to a conclusion that I need to be remembered for something different. My way of giving back is helping train the trainer and as such help to impact on a long list players under the guidance of these coaches.
“There are lots of talents in Nigeria and harnessing their skills is a lot more than meets the eyes. There are things the coaches know that I have learnt from them in the course of our training both online and physically like is the case today. The coaches need to be given ideas that will help them do their jobs better through our M2 Basketball Academy.”
The Coaching Clinic which is the 4th in the series in the Lagos Area is geared towards kitting coaches for the job effectively with the right tools and equipment.
M2 Executive Director, Coach Samson Sotuminu who is also Assistant Coach of D’Tigress stated that the academy is keen on helping build the capacity of coaches. “I’m glad with the turnout of coaches despite the rains on Sunday. We look forward to do more for coaches in Nigeria to help build our capacity base.”
NBA ambassador in Nigeria, Olumide Oyedeji while assessing the clinic said it is a welcome development for the growth of the sport. “This coaching clinic by M2 is a great development to help our coaches get better in their jobs.”
Head Coach of the M2 Basketball Academy, Coach Chris Nomigo in his remark hinted that the programme will in the near future be taken to Abuja to give room for coaches in the north to benefit too.
