CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative held a one-day handball seminar for P.E. Teachers in Uyo (Akwa Ibom State). The event which was attended by forty secondary school teachers was held at the mini stadium of West Itam Secondary School.
Also in attendance at this free seminar were the Director of Sports State Secondary Education Board and the Chairman of the Uyo branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
Dr Grace Ataha (lecturer at University of Uyo) taught the enthusiastic Teachers the theoretical aspect of the game that is currently enjoying a nationwide revival since the emergence of the current NHF Board that is led by Sam Ocheho. Dr Ataha presented a paper on “reviving handball in secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State.! The practical aspect of the training was handled by Coach Isa John and it involved him using six regular handballers to demonstrate players’ preparation, tactics, different aspect and case scenarios in this fast-paced sport.
The seminar attendees were taught about their responsibility and duty of care to their students and athletes; by Mr Emmanuel Ekong (Social Worker). Mr Ekong’s safeguarding presentation meets the requirement of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in respect of coaches’ duty of care to the general well-being of their athletes. The attendees found the safeguarding aspect of this training to be thought-provoking. As in the past few months, the international sporting community have been hit with a series of sex abuse scandals in which coaches and sports officials have abused their position of trust.
At the end of the seminar, certificate of attendance signed by Hon Umana S Umana, (Executive Chairman of State Secondary Education Board) were presented to the participants. In addition, five balls were presented to the first five participants. Since October 2017 CSED has trained one hundred and seventy-five P.E. Teachers the role they have to play in keeping their students and athletes safe. CSED next handball training for P.E. Teacher is expected to hold in the first term of the new school year at a yet to be decided venue in Cross River State.
