Anambra Chairman Charges Coaches, Referees On Development Of Volleyball
Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) has called on Volleyball coaches and referees to update themselves with the technical development in the game.
Onyedum made the call on Friday while addressing participants at the ongoing 10-day Volleyball National Grade 3 Referees and Coaching Course in Awka, the state capital.
The coaching course was organised by ASSDC in collaboration with the Anambra State Volleyball Association with the aim of training top-quality referees and volleyball coaches across the country.
The programme which started on Sept. 24 would end on Oct. 4.
The chairman said the training course aligned with the commission’s goal of enhancing the standards of volleyball officiating and coaching and positioning Anambra as a hub for sporting excellence in Southeast and Nigeria in general.
“This training is part of the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration’s broader initiative to revive and develop sports in Anambra and we are committed to supporting his vision and ensuring that other sports, beyond football, receive the attention they deserve.
“This administration’s provision of logistics and funding for the training highlights the government’s strong commitment to developing sports and nurturing talents in the state.
On his part, Jerry Onyemachi, a national referee and coordinator of volleyball for the Southeast, expressed his satisfaction with the commitment of the ASSDC towards sports development.
Onyemaechi expressed concern about the poor attitude to volleyball in the Southeast as exemplified in the absence of representatives from Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi states in the programme.
“I commend Governor Soludo for his support in ensuring that such a high-caliber training is happening here in Anambra, this is what we need to develop referees and coaches especially in the Southeast,” he said.
No fewer than 25 Volleyball coaches and referees across the country are taking part in the National Grade 3 Referees and Coaching Course.
Also speaking, Mohammed Mohammed, International referee, called on sports administrators to pay more attention and take advantage of such trainings to grow the game.
Mohammed, a facilitator in the programme commended Anambra for taking the lead in the Southeast noting that Northern states had consistently produced top volleyball referees due to sustained interest and investment.
