Now few than twenty-four Nigerians over the weekend received certification in netball coach from the International Netball Federation, INF Instructor, Mary Waya after a four-day intensive seminar held in Benin, Edo state capital, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The netball seminar which which was organised by Community Sport and Educational Development, CSED Initiative was supported by Edo State Ministry of Education, Sports Commission and Edojobs Agency. Theoretical and practical aspect of the netball sport were taught and demonstrations carried out at the IDPs Camp Uhogua, Benin.

Six of the new netball coaches – Izedomwen Kelvin Osazee, Dr Grace Ataha, Tidah Gabriel Kwedu, Bridget Anum, Okeke Chika Onyebuchi and Edith Anum Oku – received certification in the African Level 1 category.Other coaches/umpires also got their certificates in the gold, silver and bronze categories. The new coaches were selected from primary and secondary schools in Edo and Lagos States, as well as Abuja, The federal capital. Dr Grace Ataha (University of Uyo) is the only university Lecturer that attended the free seminar in which the attendees and demonstration athletes

Four of the new coaches were nominated by the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) and one of the new coaches represented Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF).
Some of the coaches who attended the seminar expressed gratitude to INF Instructor, Mary Waya for going beyond the call of duty to ensure that they grasp the fundamentals of netball. They expressed hope that with the knowledge acquired, it would equip them to discover and develop future netball stars for Nigeria.

They also commended CSED National Coordinator, Edema Fuludu for the opportunity to attend the seminar and for the hospitality of the Trustees of CSED Initiative, who bankrolled the international seminar.
Lord’s Taverners and Kits for the World provided kits used for the seminar; while Foundation for a Drug Free World, provided the free four thousand drug education brochures that were distributed to the seminar attendees.The Management and demonstration athletes of IDPs Camp Uhogua played a major role in the success of the seminar, as their newly built netball court was used for the three day practical aspect of the seminar. One of the demonstration athletes, Bethel Omigie received a bronze certification for her participation in the training course and for her leadership qualities in leading the core thirty girls at the IDPs Camp, who now play netball on a daily basis.

CSED Founder, Cornelius Ehimiaghe commended the coaches and teachers for their resilience adding that Nigeria will soon reap the benefits of the seminar but lamented that inactivity by the Nigeria Netball Federation, NNF is impacting negatively on the development of netball in the country. “CSED decided to hold this seminar because we cannot continue to stomach the inaction of individuals who call themselves the Board Members of the Nigeria Netball Federation (NNF), as this “do nothing” Board Members who were “illegally” imposed on Nigerians by Hellenq Manufor has nothing to show for their current illegal existence. Furthermore, Hellen Manufor who has claimed she is the General Secretary of the NNF is based in London. The one million dollar question is: who elected, selected or appointed Hellen Manufor as General Secretary of NNF?”

“If Hellen Manufor cannot answer the above question, how come the hierarchy of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports and their Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) counterpart, have allowed Hellen Manufor to inflict mortal damage on the Nigerian netball ecosystem, while other former netball players like Mary Waya (Malawi), Dumisani Chauke and Cecilia Molokwane (South Africa) are developing talent and inspiring girls; our own fellow Nigerian (Hellen Manufor) continues to use the power she does not have to block the development of netball in Nigeria.”

“Last year, as part of the INF Global Development Programme, their Team had already packed their bags ready with a view to visit Nigeria; only for Helen Manuforqq to deceive INF officials that she is planning a similar course in Nigeria.”

“This is the pathetic story of Nigerian netball, under Hellen Manufor, who has not bothered to arrange one single official netball match in almost eight years that she has occupied the position of the General Secretary of NNF, even when she did not complete the compulsory one year NYSC programme that1 every Nigerian graduate has to do in order to work in a graduate level job.” God save Nigerian girls and women from this “Manufor virus.”

Sunday Dare the Honourable (Minister of Youths and1 Sports) is expected to come to judgement within the next few weeks or Nigeria will fail to meet it’s commitment to achieving SDG Number 5, which involves using sports to promote gender equality.