Sunday August 16, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The National Institute for Sports (NIS) 8-Week Summer Basic Coaching Programme has officially begun in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The programme, organised by the NIS in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA), is taking place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Among those accredited was 14-year-old Unwana Unwana Udoma, who is taking part in the coaching programme.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, AKSFA Chairman Mr Samuel Umoh said it was fulfilling to see the programme finally take place in Uyo after concerns had been raised over whether the NIS would move the programme from Lagos to Akwa Ibom.
“I congratulate you all for taking this opportunity,” Umoh told the participants.
He added: “This programme was to provide the platform that will help you actualise your dreams.”
The AKSFA chairman thanked Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his support in bringing the programme to Uyo.
He also appreciated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), particularly its South-South representative, Otuekong Nse Essien, for his role in making the programme possible in Akwa Ibom.
Umoh further thanked the NIS, led by its Director-General, Rt Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for approving the programme.
In his remarks, NFF Executive Board Member representing the South-South, Otuekong Nse Essien, said he was delighted that the programme was taking place in Akwa Ibom.
Essien thanked Governor Pastor Umo Eno for providing what he described as an enabling environment for sports to flourish in the state.
He praised the NIS for taking the Basic Coaching Programme to the grassroots and appealed to the institute to bring higher-level coaching courses to Akwa Ibom when available.
He also commended Commissioner Paul Bassey, describing him as a “man who understands Sports very well”.
Essien ended his remarks by praising the AKSFA, led by Mr Samuel Umoh, for what he described as visionary leadership that has attracted valuable programmes such as the NIS coaching course to the state.
Speaking virtually, NIS Director-General Rt Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu congratulated Akwa Ibom for becoming the first state to benefit from the programme.
Shaibu said the efforts of AKSFA Chairman Mr Samuel Umoh helped the state beat Lagos to the opportunity.
He explained that the programme was introduced by the NIS to help bridge the coaching gap in Nigeria and urged the participants to take the course seriously.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Coaches Association, Coach Udobia Udobia, also urged the participants to be serious throughout the programme.
He said he was pleased that more coaches would be trained and would eventually join the coaching association in the state.
The Special Guest of Honour, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, said he was happy that the course had finally come to the state.
He described the programme as a basic foundation for coaches in Akwa Ibom and urged the participants to build on the knowledge gained and strive to make a name for themselves.
Bassey also used the occasion to congratulate CAF A-licensed coach Emmanuel King from Akwa Ibom on his new appointment as El-Kanemi Warriors head coach.
The Commissioner encouraged participants to seek additional knowledge through digital tools such as AI and Google, while also making use of coaching manuals.
He said he had seen the course manual and described it as a rich material which participants should take seriously.
Bassey praised Governor Umo Eno for his investment in sports and assured the organisers that the Ministry of Sports would do everything possible to support the programme and ensure its success.
He then officially declared the course open.
NIS Registrar Mr Belmond Benson later explained the course outline and answered questions from the participants.
He also took them through what they should expect during the eight-week programme and confirmed that successful participants would receive NIS Coaching Certificates at the end of the course.
The participants also elected Dr Morrison as the class leader to be assisted by Mr Inemesit Edem while Hon. Emmanuel Boniface will serve as class Secretary. The opening day ended with a group photograph.
