Coaches, athletes’ education vital in grassroots development, says NMMAF

Edo, Lagos Host August Championship The Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) has urged coaches, fighters and all the practitioners of the sport to embrace all training programmes organised by the federation as a strategy for grassroots development of the event.

Speaking in a meeting organised for NMMAF stakeholders, the Federation’s technical director, Shihan Victor Akhimien, a seventh degree karate black belt holder, said if coaches and fighters embraced modern MMA techniques, the process could add value to the economy of Nigeria when quality talents are discovered at the grassroots and taken overseas to fight and expose their skills.

“We are expecting a high turn out as we hold two major national seminars and championships on August 12 in Edo State and August 17 in Lagos.

“This is geared towards identifying and polishing talents that will participate in local and international championships.

Coaches and athletes are also encouraged to attend our seminars and workshops to attain certifications.

This will empower and authorise them to officially operate as coaches, referees/officials, and amateur/ professional athletes.    “We are ready to integrate everybody into the federation’s scheme of things via the classification of our certification programmes with thorough consideration of experience and technical expertise over the years and not as beginners,” he said.

Akhimien, who also doubles as chairman, Lagos State’s Mixed Martial Arts Association and lecturer, Mixed Martial Arts at Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), added: “This window of waivers/ integration into the federation’s activities will be open for now and will probably close before the end of the year.

“Upon entry, the coaches and athletes’ career growth