Coach Shoyoye Shola Sunaka of the Lagos State karate team shared his experiences at the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the team secured just one bronze medal.
Reflecting on last year’s outing, Coach Sunaka said, “Last time, we got one silver and two bronze. This year, we were expecting all gold.”
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He expressed his disappointment over the current results, attributing it to unforeseen circumstances that affected their plans. “I’m not really happy this time because one of my promising athletes was not picked, which disorganized our plan,” he explained.
The selection process for the athletes also posed a challenge. Coach Sunaka pointed out, “What we were told is that you must be under 15. If your NIN judges you as under 15, your birth certificate should also prove your age.”
He elaborated that the physical appearance of some athletes led to their disqualification. “In this game, we need people that are tall, not short. But when we bring people that are tall, they tend to screen them out,” he noted.
He highlighted the socio-economic background of some athletes, stating, “Some children do labor to help their parents, making their faces look tense.
This sometimes results in their disqualification.” Coach Sunaka emphasized the need for better age verification mechanisms, such as DRM machines, to ensure fair judgments.
Despite the challenges, Coach Sunaka remained positive about the future. “Overall, we still thank God for whatever result we have. We’ll go back and work harder,” he said.
Out of three athletes who competed, two were eliminated early, and only one managed to win a bronze medal.
As the team returns home, the focus will be on addressing the issues faced and preparing better for future competitions.
Coach Sunaka’s dedication to his athletes and his insights into the selection and verification processes highlight the complexities involved in youth sports development in Nigeria.
