Lagos – Cletus Okagbe, the Head Coach, Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN), on Wednesday in Lagos urged athletes to sustain training programmes in spite of dearth of competitions.

Okagbe in Lagos said that engaging in routine training programmes was the only way kick boxers could keep abreast with latest developments of the sport.

“Lack of championships has always being a major problem to the development of kickboxing in the country.

“The dearth of competitions is really affecting us as federation and individual athletes. Most of our athletes don’t turn out for training due to lack of competitions.

“The implication of staying off training is that when there are competitions it would take them some time for their system to be in shape for the competition.

SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S EMEDIONG SIMEON (BLUE)
KICKS SHITTU RAMON OF ISOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DURING A SEMI-FINAL OF MEN KICK-BOXING GAME AT THE LAGOS STATE SPORTS FESTIVAL IN LAGOS (24/5/12). NAN

“Preparing athletes ahead of championships has a lot of benefits for the athletes and the coaches.

“With adequate and constant training, they will also be in a good frame of mind for any competition.

“There will also be an enabling environment for the technical crew to build a cordial relationship with the athletes,’’ Okagbe said.

He advised the athletes not to allow the unpleasant situation to discourage them from coming to training or to change to other sports.

The head coach however appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists in the country to assist the federation in sponsorship of competitions. (NAN)