Athletics Coach Racing Against The Odds

IKPO IGBINOBA

The grounds of St. Paul’s African Anglican Church Primary School, Agbado in Ogun State play host daily to sports enthusiasts of different ages and dreams.

On weekdays, once academic activities are over in the school,  the compound transforms into a buzzing sports arena. 

At  weekends sporting activities, are on from sunrise to sunset.

The venue brings together a community of persons, from those doing sport for pleasure, to others with sights set on ambitious like playing in the big football leagues in Europe.Spectators add a colourful dimension to the spectacle turning the venue to a carnival of sorts.
 To complete the make up of the gregarious community are vendors who sell sachet water, fruits and snacks.

While the football players take the centre stage, an athletics coach is taking his charges through some drills by the sidelines.

He is hardly noticed by the crowd which is football obsessed and barely offers even a glance at the athletes blasting away from the starting  blocks.

But coach Oweni Adewumi of Unique Athletics Club, Alagbado in Ogun state is really not craving the attention of the crowd. He is quietly working on his army of ambitious lads and lasses to achieve their goals of making it big on the athletics stage.

Adewumi conducts two training sessions daily, in  the morning and in the evening. He takes his athletes through their various track and field disciplines from 100 metres to shot put events.

With over a decade of discovering and nurturing talents in the town, Adewumi has some achievements which give him cause for joy.

 “I have raised a lot of athletes who are doing well in life,” he tells P.M. EXPRESS after an evening workout with his athletes.

He reels out names of some of the products of his club and sounding excited declares : “They are doing well in their respective endeavours “.

What gives Adewumi greater joy is the current crop of athletes in his club who he described as young and ambitious.
The athletes are already making some impact at local and state level. 

During the Maltina School Games held in February in Lagos,  Oluwabumi Israel, Joy Ojo, Kehinde Ojo, Ramot Kehinde, Awawu Abdulramon, Lateef Ganiyu and Lukmon Adebayo swept the stakes.

Last year, products of the club registered their names on the medals’ list during the National Youth Games in Ilorin.
Ramos Kehinde and Racheal Ariyo represented Ogun State during the youth games while Benedict Edward flew the flag for Lagos State.

However, these accomplishments have not helped in alleviating the major challenge of the coach which is funding.

“Sometimes, these athletes train on empty stomach. Most of them come from poor homes and it’s a huge challenge for me”, he lamented.

He revealed that his athletes were exploited when they represented states during the youth games.

“Can you believe that Lagos State gave my athlete who represented them at the youth games N19,000 and Ogun gave my athletes that represented them N13,000.”
Coach Adewumi appealed to philanthropists and corporate outfits to assist his club.He said “I am appealing to philanthropists and corporate  entities to come to my aid with funds to cater for these athletes. 

“With our achievements in spite of our present challenges, it is certain we will rule the world of athletics if we get support. Those who can should please come to our aid”.