Are Olakeji Isaac, a recent graduate of the Basic Coaching Course at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos, shares his experiences and future plans. Serving as the governor of his set, Olakeji discusses the challenges and rewards of the three-month program.
Isaac described the past three months as demanding yet fulfilling. “The last three months have been so demanding and interesting. BASIC is the lowest certificate you can get from NIS, but the effort put into it is worth it.”
As the governor of his set, Olakeji learned valuable leadership lessons. “Being a leader is about the people following you, not just yourself. It has been tough managing people, but their cooperation and understanding made it easier for me to direct them.”
Olakeji plans to use his new certification to impact grassroots football. “I’m emotional about leaving, but I’m planning to come back for the advanced courses next session. Meanwhile, I’ll use the experience I’ve gained here to benefit the kids in my academy back home.”
Isaac emphasized the importance of starting with the BASIC course. “Charity begins at home. You must have BASIC knowledge before advancing. In Europe, coaching certifications follow a hierarchy from UEFA D to UEFA A. Similarly, aspiring coaches should start with the BASIC course.”
Isaac encourages grassroots coaches to enhance their knowledge and skills at NIS. “Many think having a whistle, stopwatch, and ball is enough to coach. But you need certification and professional training. NIS has opened my eyes to many essential aspects of coaching. A coach must be knowledgeable to impact their athletes effectively.”
Isaac’s journey and insights highlight the importance of foundational knowledge in coaching and the role of NIS in fostering professional development in sports.
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