NAN-S-21
Athletes
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Feb. 13, 2017 (NAN) Tochukwu Ayakora, a Lagos-based taekwondo coach, has advised his colleagues in sports to give priority to athletes’ frame of mind at trainings and competitions to allow for full concentration.
Ayakora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that coaches play a major role in athletes’ build-up and must therefore work on their athlets’ psyche.
He said coaches must ensure smooth relationship with the athletes they were supervising to create the right atmosphere to help them give them relief.
“Coaches must enrich their regular training programmes and go the extra mile to significantly affect the state of mind of the athletes under their control in order to boost performances in competitions.
“Some foreign athletes in competitions first of all read the mood of their opponents and then capitalise on it if it is a troubled one to overshadow them.
“The frame of mind during trainings and competitions plays a key role in the response and performance of athletes.
“In achieving results therefore, there is the need for a good relationship, where coaches will observe athletes, know their mood and the athletes also will feel free to open up to their coaches,’’ Ayakora said.
The coach said such an addition in the athletes’ training programme would put them in a sound psychological state and make them focused to make a positive impact at competition.
“When athletes under a coach perform well or win medals at competitions, this boosts the record of both the coach and country, instead of a dismal or disgraceful return,’’ he added.
Ayakora said the positive guidance and words of encouragement an athlete receives from a coach go a long way in spurring him or her into action to make their fans happy.
He said it was important that coaches protect their athletes, who have confided in them their personal or family problems.(NAN)
MIL/KOLE/OLAL
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)