Growing discontent among athletics coaches and stakeholders over the treatment of coaches whose athletes represent Nigeria at major international competitions has intensified, with calls for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to introduce a structured reward system for athlete-producing coaches.
The coaches argue that while athletes who deliver outstanding performances for Nigeria are routinely recognised, the coaches responsible for developing and preparing them are often left without financial rewards, formal recognition or opportunities to join national teams.
They warned that the situation, if allowed to continue, could affect athletes’ performances and discourage coaches from investing in the development of future national stars.
One of the major suggestions being canvassed is the introduction of financial incentives for coaches whose athletes make national teams or win medals at major competitions.
Stakeholders pointed to FIFA’s model as an example of how governing bodies can recognise the contribution of clubs and grassroots structures.
FIFA provides financial mechanisms that benefit clubs whose players participate in its major competitions, acknowledging the role those clubs play in developing and preparing players for international football.
The stakeholders also cited the example of the governing body of boxing, where monetary rewards were provided to medallists and their coaches at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as another example of how coaches can be encouraged through direct financial recognition.
Seasoned coach Mutiu Olowo recalled previous administrations of the AFN, saying mechanisms existed to recognise coaches who produced athletes for the national team.
Olowo said “The federation organised a congress which was extraordinary, to say the least, and on that floor we, the coaches present, gave the federation an insight into the problem and also made a solution available. But today, we are still nursing the same problem,” .
“All coaches cannot be in the team, but all coaches can be recognised for producing an athlete that represents the country.”
Olowo referred to the era of former AFN president Dan Ngerem, when financial incentives were made available for coaches based on the number of athletes they produced.
“The days of Dan Ngerem and the Mobil era, a certain amount was made available for coaches to the athletes and it became a challenge for coaches to produce more. If as small as N250,000 for one athlete, I am sure people with four athletes will not complain and coaches will not put pressure on both the athletes and the federation,” he added.
He also recalled the period under Tony Urhobo and Brown Ebewele, claiming that as many as 38 coaches were invited and participated in international engagements in one year.
“Each regime brought its own unique ways to compensate hardworking coaches. The available style now is not working because the coaches need to be encouraged,” Olowo said.
Another stakeholder, Charles Himah, however, cautioned against placing the entire blame on the National Sports Commission (NSC), arguing that the federation itself must take responsibility for how it manages its coaches.
“In my perspective, I do not blame the National Sports Commission (NSC), It is apparent that the NSC is aware that many coaches responsible for developing athletes are not part of the official team,” Himah said.
He argued that some coaches who consistently produce athletes for Nigeria are frustrated when their athletes are selected for national assignments while they are excluded from the travelling delegation.
He added “The real grumbling coaches here are those that produce always and are not being placed on the team,” .
By Maxwell Kumoye
