The one-week World Athletics Level 1 Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) course has commenced in Winneba, with Dr. Baba Apidogo, a World Athletics certified coach and facilitator, expressing excitement about imparting knowledge to participants.
According to Dr. Apidogo the facilitator, the course is designed to build on the basic athletics coaching knowledge of participants, taking them to the next level.
The World Athletics coaches course, which is being organized by the Ghana Athletics in conjunction with the National Sports College began on Monday, June 9th, and is expected to end on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, with over 30 participants in attendance, is geared towards equipping coaches with the requisite knowledge and understanding of the sport.
Dr. Apidogo in an interview with Accra Daily Post also noted that the course covers critical topics such as growth and development, coaching philosophy, mental development, communication skills, anatomy, and physiology. These topics, he said, are essential for coaches to improve athlete performance and achieve success in the sport.
He emphasized the importance of sticking to rules and regulations in coaching, stating that deviating from established protocols will not yield desired results. He stressed that coaches’ primary interest is to improve athlete performance, and following established guidelines is crucial to achieving this goal.
Dr. Apidogo also highlighted the significance of practical experience in coaching, revealing that the course will include biomechanics and other topics in the morning, followed by practical sessions in the afternoon. Participants will be taken through teaching progressions and how to conclude a training session.
Dr. Apidogo envisioned a positive change in the areas represented by the coaches, particularly in terms of athletics performance. He believes that the knowledge and skills acquired during the course will enable coaches to make a meaningful impact in the sport.
“By the end of this course, I expect that there will be a change in the areas in which all these coaches are coming from, in terms of athletics performance,” Dr. Apidogo said.