On This Day In World Athletics Coaches Education and Certification System Level One History, 11 June 2019: Abdulhakeem Idris emerged the youngest World Athletics Certified Youth Coach

  
On This Day In World Athletics Coaches Education and Certification System Level One History, 11 June 2019: Abdulhakeem Idris emerged the youngest World Athletics Certified Youth Coach. Coach Abdulhakeem Idris,with World Athletics CECS lecturer, Mrs. Otegbeye

Abdulhakeem Idris has come a long way since being discovered in October 2016 during an Inter Houses Sports in Challawa Schools Barnawa,Kaduna where he caught the attention of Coach Felix. His performance earned him a call up to the foundation,while he was schooling and training under Coach Felix which he obtained modern and scientific athletics training which made him a youth athlete to beat in Kaduna state as a whole in both 400m and 800m. Since then, he has won several medals in secondary school,university, state and national level. In 2019, Abdulhakeem dream of becoming a coach came true after successful completion of the IAAF( now World Athletics) Coaches Education and Certification System Level One Youth Coaching Course. He trained and prepared The Cavendish School for Kaduna Primary Schools Games where they emerged champion of the games and it was his first official assignment as a World Athletics Coach. He did not only stop there, the young Coach has been of great help to team CFASF through training the kids athletes and some of the performing athletes. He is one person who knows what he wants, and he is willing to make the required sacrifices to get it. It might be early stages, but he is no doubt on the right path, and certainly all those sacrifices will eventually pay off. 

Exclusive Interview chat with Abdulhakeem Idris;

When did you discover that coaching was "your" profession and how did you developed your coaching eye for sprinting?

I have always been fascinated with speed, running mechanics and so on. I found a passion for coaching and have worked on developing myself, becoming more educated and qualified, from that time until now. There was one unit on CECS, where we looked at talent identification and some of the characteristics necessary to perform well in the sprints in comparison with other events. That knowledge, which included biomechanical analysis of the movement of top-class runners, has guided me over the year. I personally believe that a coaching eye is part of a gift that is unique to a person. It's probably difficult to relate outside of the scientific principles, but one has to approach it with an open mind because you could lose a good sprinter or athlete because he does not fall within the norm and you sometimes have to think outside the box.

As you have obtained formal coaching qualifications, how do you judge the usefulness of such programmes for your work now? What recommendations would you make for improving them?

This was my first Coaching course and it was very informative. It was conducted by two out three best certified World Athletics lecturers in West African, they really went into great depth about the event specifics and the supporting sciences. However I have spoken to coaches in Nigeria and other international coaches for consulting to developed myself, have come away with a wealth of information which they have been supporting throughout. Based on my own experiences, my only recommendation would be for these courses to be held over an extended period, so that the coaches can go into more depth in the event specifics and the related sciences.

In what way Coach Felix Academics and Sports Foundation impacted in your career? 

Coach Felix Academics and Sports Foundation has been supportive since from day one. They recommended me and also fully sponsored my Coaching Course due to the level of dedication, love and passion for kids athletics. So they have been part of my success journey.

We know of your previous track record in academics which is outstanding, example is representing NIGERIA at the 2012 international mathematics competition (IMC) Taipei,Taiwan and currently you are the best 300-level student of Kaduna state University Faculty of Social Science. So how do you manage combining your academics and your coaching career and not just to meet those expectations, but to exceed them? 

I said to myself I need serve as a example and inspiration to both my athletes and students by continue accomplishments both on-and-off the field. Those who have not experienced it firsthand cannot fully comprehend the commitment that is required or the tremendous challenges you face day in and day out as a student-athlete and a Coach. So I try all my best to keep my grades high to make my family proud.

Congratulations on your newly appointment as an administrator in Kaduna State University Facebook page. We know you are about 80% responsible of CFASF's social media platform activities. So what are we expecting from you on the both platforms?
Thank you, I am a hard-working and enthusiastic person who understands how important work is to my overall happiness. I take my work very seriously and I am always looking to improve my skills and qualifications so I can work to the highest standards possible in my role. I believe I have the skills, qualities and attributes to carry out the job to a very high standard. I also feel the role will give me a new, fresh challenge; something which I have been looking for, for some time now. I will make a big difference in the platform. So nothing will change I will continue giving my best in both platforms. I'm confident I would be a great addition to the university media team.

Having started 2020 on a high but the global pandemic affected all sectors, What is your advice to the general public? 

We're living in testing times. Isn’t it amazing how man is always making plans for his life. Some of us have even made plans for the entire year! Plans have had to be changed, adjusted or even cancelled! It is during challenging times like this that you really begin to put things in perspective. It takes a lot of understanding to be patient, so I train my mind to remain focused on the positive things in my Life. Because there is a lot of confusion and chaos to distract you. That is why I continue to practice my focus, meditation and relaxation techniques, and pray to Almighty to guide us all through the storm. So please everybody should be patient. Almighty will always direct us along the right path.

Are you still in touch with your Athletes? 

Yes, I continue monitoring them by chatting and calling to know how they are doing and with their home workouts so to keep the body fit but the sad part is that I missed them all.

Finally, What are your coaching career plans and goals?

I will not talk much and my result will speak for me InshaAllah. Thank you.