Athletics coaches demand better welfare, rewards
By Uzor Odigbo
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.
“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,” Olowo said.
“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.
“The real grumbling coaches here are those that produce always and are not being placed on the team,” he added.
Himah’s position was echoed by other stakeholders who questioned the composition of national teams and the perceived lack of rotation among coaches selected for international assignments.
They argued that the AFN should develop a transparent system that gives coaches whose athletes qualify for national teams a fair opportunity to participate in international engagements, while also ensuring that coaches who remain at home are financially and publicly recognised for their contributions.
In most case foreign based athletes hit national team camp with their coaches and they are warmly welcome with special treatment.
Uzor Odigbo a seasoned journalist with bias for athletics said the situation had changed considerably from previous years.
“Today’s leaders have forgotten about coaches that lay the golden eggs. During Dan Ngerem’s era at AFN, coaches enjoyed good rotation and financial rewards for getting their athletes into the national team. They may not travel, but they were recognised with cash and dinner parties,” Odigbo said.
He questioned the composition of the national athletics team, alleging that a significant number of coaches accompanying the team do not contribute athletes to the travelling contingent.
“Over 70 per cent of coaches on the national athletics team don’t contribute athletes in the travelling contingent. Why?” he asked.
“A situation where monkey dey chop, baboon dey work is dangerous and toxic to the system. Sadly, the best of us are usually left at home.”
The stakeholders also raised concerns about coaches’ contracts, allowances and welfare, arguing that athletics coaches should receive clearer contractual arrangements similar to those available to coaches employed by national teams in sports such as football and basketball.
They further called for a transparent rotation policy for international assignments and stronger representation for coaches when allowances or other entitlements are delayed or reduced.
Olowo stressed, however, that the NSC should not be expected to dictate how the AFN runs its programmes simply because it provides funding.
“NSC will not design how you run your federation even if the fund is from them. The NSC will gladly include such in its achievement list when presenting stewardship to Nigerians. The federation needs to do more,” he said.
He also welcomed a recent questionnaire seeking stakeholders’ views on the handling of future national teams, saying such initiatives could help redirect the system.
“But we need to know that what works for team sports will not work for individual sports,” Olowo added.
The growing debate has therefore placed the focus not only on funding but also on how Nigeria recognises the coaches working behind the scenes to produce elite athletes.
Stakeholders believe a transparent incentive scheme, improved welfare, rotation of coaches, clearer contractual arrangements and recognition for athlete-producing coaches could help restore confidence in the system.
They warned that failure to address the concerns could have consequences for the development of athletics, particularly as Nigeria prepares for major international competitions in the coming years.
