BFA Instructors Drill Phikwe Teachers

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday September 6, 2010 00:00

 

Speaking during the official closing of the course last week, Selebi-Phikwe Regional Football Association (SPRFA) chairperson, Tebro Onkabetse told the participants that the future of football in the country is in their hands. He advised them not to sit on the knowledge they have acquired from the course.

 'You must instil the skill that you were given by your instructors to the learners. The primary school learners are the future of the sport and they need to be given the proper training. You are going to be monitored in your schools to see if you are doing what has been agreed,' he said.

 Onkabetse stated that the sports time in schools is short but as coaches, the teachers must train the learners the whole year and must not depend on the school league.

He called upon the teachers to work with the 28 BFA teams in the region and be part of their technical departments because this will increase their knowledge. He added that if they are not putting to use their knowledge, they will forget what they have leant.

Onkabetse stated that football keeps on developing and they must be ready to upgrade their knowledge all the time. He noted that the teachers have realised the importance of the course and that is why the attendance was high.  'You must know that coaching is a sensitive job because you take all the blame when the team loses and you are not given any credit when the team does well. The BFA has also realised that clubs fire coaches the way they want and the association is working hard to protect you,' he said.

Selebi-Phikwe principal education officer, Henson Seidisa said if the participants impart the knowledge they have to the children, society will also benefit.  He stated that the national team depends on players from the grassroots. He said teachers must lay a solid sporting foundation that will see Botswana competing in major events such as the World Cup. 

 'The only challenge that you now have is implementing the skills that you have acquired. You are fully competent in all aspects of football,' said Seidisa.

BFA instructor, Philemon Makwengwe said the modules that the participants learnt in a week should be learnt in three weeks and that is an indication of commitment. He said the teachers were determined to learn.

He explained that the BFA wants to develop teachers because they work with children and they are like psychologists. He said the participants in the course now know how players learn. He pointed out that some of the skills they were taught include principles and qualities of a good coach. 'A good coach does not go around boasting of his credentials that are pinned in the living room.  A good coach brings results. We will support you all the way. We do not want a situation where teachers are refused permission by their supervisors when we want to take them for further training,' said Makwengwe.  He added that their aim is to train competent coaches who will produce good players for the country.