Lagos -Lateef Erinfolami, a former coach of Lagos Islanders Basketball Club on Friday said that coaches at the grassroots also needed re-training for sports development.
Erinfolami maded the assertion to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing 17th Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Foundation Camp for children aged two to18 at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The gaffer said that the essence of the clinic was to harmonise the training pattern of coaches which they administer to their youths.
“There is so much going at the grassroots and some individuals like Oyedeji, Sam Uguche, Ejike Ugboaja to mention but a few have continued to give so much to grassroots basketball.
“I think it’s time the coaches that train the young players are given some other training on how to groom youths at the grassroots.
“The basic things like passing, dribbling, shooting, ball handling and playing and team work are fundamentals the young players must not miss in their youth.
“The coaches must also teach the young players the necessary aggressive methods needed to succeed in the game,’’ Erinfolami said.
According to him, it is fundamental that the youth learn much of what they need to know about the game and it is important their handlers are equally well trained.
“The coaches that handle these junior players must also be well trained on their job because lack of the technical knowledge in handling players at the grassroots may hinder producing the right products.
“When you look at the disparity between the young players in the U.S. and Europe as compared with Nigeria, you will understand that the fundamental is what really matters.
“I believe we have the right materials because once the young players have the thirst for the game, ours as coaches is to water them with the right training,’’ Erinfolami said.
Meanwhile, Erinfolami told NAN that he was coming up with a five-day coaches/players clinic that would train participants on the skills and dribbling.
He said that the clinic would run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos. (NAN)