Wrestling coaches get expert help

THE majority of Namibia’s wrestling coaches have no formal training in the sport and mostly rely on their knowledge as former competitors, says Namibia Wrestling Federation President, Leon Conradie.

He says most of the coaches have not completed a high-level coaching course and many rely on their person experience of the sport and what they read in books. Conradie spoke at the introduction of Bulgarian wrestling instructor Lodzo Latev, who will be in Namibia for two weeks to conduct coaching courses.Conradie said some coaches have the basic background, as they were former wrestlers for the country’s national teams.He said Latev would also help with the preparations of wrestlers who will be competing at the senior wrestling championships that will be held in Windhoek soon.Conradie emphasised that the main reason for bringing in Latev was to benefit from his expertise and experience, as he has been a fully qualified and internationally recognised coach since 1978.He was the national coach for Nigeria, whose wrestling team reached fourth place at the Olympic Games, and also served as national coach for the Philippines from 1994 to 1999.Latev also coached his own country, which has won gold at the Olympic Games.Conradie said Latev will be doing specialised coaching and this will be a bonus for Namibia, as there had been no such courses in the past.”All coaches will be involved to gain knowledge and skills,” he said.The secretary general of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), Eliphas Shipanga, who was the keynote speaker said at the event, commended the NWF for approaching Latev to help train Namibian coaches.He said the NNOC will maximise the opportunities that are being offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through their programmes to help with the development of sport in several countries.He said there are resources from the international body that can be used to develop sport in general, and that the NNOC aims to use these resources to the benefit of the sport codes in need of such support.”Every opportunity provided must be used to the maximum if supported by the IOC,” he said.Latev said any sport is not easy, but he believes that if there are coaches and athletes who are committed, they will always reach the top.He said although the coaching courses will be short, they will have a lot of benefits for the attending coaches in the long run.Latev believes that Namibia needs a lot more coaches who can be trained in leading wrestling countries such as Germany, Hungary, Italy and Croatia.The NWF has three active clubs affiliated to it and two new clubs from Okahandja and Swakopmund are expected to join soon.At least 50 per cent of the wrestlers are from previously marginalised communities and have competed at various national and international competitions.Conradie spoke at the introduction of Bulgarian wrestling instructor Lodzo Latev, who will be in Namibia for two weeks to conduct coaching courses.Conradie said some coaches have the basic background, as they were former wrestlers for the country’s national teams.He said Latev would also help with the preparations of wrestlers who will be competing at the senior wrestling championships that will be held in Windhoek soon.Conradie emphasised that the main reason for bringing in Latev was to benefit from his expertise and experience, as he has been a fully qualified and internationally recognised coach since 1978.He was the national coach for Nigeria, whose wrestling team reached fourth place at the Olympic Games, and also served as national coach for the Philippines from 1994 to 1999.Latev also coached his own country, which has won gold at the Olympic Games.Conradie said Latev will be doing specialised coaching and this will be a bonus for Namibia, as there had been no such courses in the past.”All coaches will be involved to gain knowledge and skills,” he said.The secretary general of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), Eliphas Shipanga, who was the keynote speaker said at the event, commended the NWF for approaching Latev to help train Namibian coaches.He said the NNOC will maximise the opportunities that are being offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through their programmes to help with the development of sport in several countries.He said there are resources from the international body that can be used to develop sport in general, and that the NNOC aims to use these resources to the benefit of the sport codes in need of such support.”Every opportunity provided must be used to the maximum if supported by the IOC,” he said.Latev said any sport is not easy, but he believes that if there are coaches and athletes who are committed, they will always reach the top.He said although the coaching courses will be short, they will have a lot of benefits for the attending coaches in the long run.Latev believes that Namibia needs a lot more coaches who can be trained in leading wrestling countries such as Germany, Hungary, Italy and Croatia.The NWF has three active clubs affiliated to it and two new clubs from Okahandja and Swakopmund are expected to join soon.At least 50 per cent of the wrestlers are from previously marginalised communities and have competed at various national and international competitions.