A professional kung-fu coach from Edo State, Godwin Onaifo Osagieduwa has disclosed how watching Chinese movies as a kid inspired him to become active in martial arts’ sports and eventually become a trainer.
He added in an exclusive interview with Sports247 that he later developed a strong desire to add more knowledge to his talent, hence his decision to enrol for a course at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos.
Osagieduwa who also did a basic course in fitness and conditioning disclosed further, “I was motivated by the urge to acquire relative fitness knowledge. Every sport has its own level of fitness, which is learnt during active participation, but I wanted to be more professional and know what it means to be a fitness coach.
This will help me when training kung-fu athletes; as I would be able to take them on technique and tactics, alongside the fitness aspects. This will help them to be very good in fitness as well.”
The soft-spoken tactician went further to reveal how his passion for learning and acquiring more knowledge helped him overcome all hurdles and challenges that he faced during the duration of the course at Nigeria’s renowned citadel of sports academics.
He continued, “I was further motivated to push on, because I needed to have the real knowledge that would enable me be a better coach. It would also help me make sure that all my athletes can show physical abilities and be very fit while competing.
It was a bit tough and challenging, because of the exercises and studying … combining theory and practical aspects of sports. It was not easy but, thank God, we made it through.
It was made possible with the help of our lecturers and administrative staff, who all made everything easier for us. Our lecturers and admin staff were influential in our learning. They taught us well and we learnt a lot from them. Today, we are better coaches.”
Osagieduwa also spoke about the genesis of his love for martial arts and why he eventually decided to concentrate on kung-fu, instead of facing football or any other of the more popular big sports that are well-followed in Nigeria.
He recounted, “Many of us have been into football, basketball and other popular sports, but I chose kung-fu because it’s more of a talent for me. I started very young and, while growing up, even as a secondary school student, I had been motivated when watching Chinese movies and other action films.
Kung-fu is from China, but I always loved it, and I chose to participate in it. As God would have it, I joined the Edo State Kung-fu Association and won some national medals in the sport. I’ve gone for several championships and even won gold medals twice while representing Edo State.”
He then showered encomiums on the top quality of learning and development provided by the NIS, which he praised for helping him transfer his passion and talent into refined quality that can be used to groom up and coming people who have similar aspirations as he did while growing up.
Osagieduwa stated gleefully, “It started from scratch, but it’s a big one today, as I am now a professional coach. This has been made possible by coming to the NIS, which is an institute for sports that is well recognised worldwide. They have the ability to train you to become a better coach.
It’s not just about coming out to say you are a coach. Will you be able to meet up when it’s time to show your responsibility as a coach? Will you be able to defend your status and produce athletes that can go ahead to represent Nigeria in any competition?
When you come to NIS, you will be trained properly. You will know the ethics of coaching, and you will get all you need in order to become a better coach. We received the best training at NIS.”
He concluded with words of advise for other people who are involved in training sports talent but are yet to go for formal knowledge at the NIS; while pointing out that being a professional in kung-fu training is also for women, not just male coaches alone.
“I advise those who are active in sports through any form … like coaching, management, areas of fitness, aerobics trainers, and all that … they should come to NIS to learn the rudiments of sports. That will help them to become better in the area of sports they are doing.
We have kung-fu coaches who are women, and they are doing excellently well. Kung-fu is a sport for both male and females. So, women becoming kung-fu coaches is a welcome development. In fact, there’s a female coach who was part of the people who trained me to become the professional that I am today.
So, we encourage that women too should come into the coaching line in kung-fu. Even in Chinese films, it should be observed that some ladies can do wonders. They can fight many guys and excel in their midst. Women are also active practitioners in kung-fu as a sport. So, it’s okay for them to become kung-fu coaches as well,” Osagieduwa reasoned.
