When the sun sets, it simultaneously rises anew, afresh the very next day, this time around, when the sun of KWARA UNITED rises, it does in person of Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed, one of the Nigeria new generation football Coach from Chanchaga, Niger State.
He was unveiled as Technical Adviser of Kwara United Football Club by Sir, Prince Oladimeji Ladi Thompson, Club President alongside other dignitaries on Wednesday 14th March, 2018 at the inner sanctum of the indoor sports hall of Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin, amidst torrential downpour (a good omen).
After the unveiling ceremony, Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Technical Adviser, Coach Ashifat Sulyman (Brazil) Chief Coach, and Coach Umar F. Husseini (Master) Asst. Chief Coach; were led to the main bowl by the Club Management, powerful government representatives, stakeholders and mammoth crowd for former introduction to other technical crew and the players.
After the departure of all the dignitaries, self-introduction followed, thereafter the Technical Adviser rhetorically asked the players “what are you selling today?” Are you selling positive, or are you selling negative way?”
The next day turned to a multi task of series of scintillating actions. Coach Bala runs his schedule and his entire programmes with similar efficiency. To him nothing is trivial or unimportant.
His presence has led to a devastating tornado that blew through the city like radio waves. He has even, if you believe the Fresnel lens of my new smartphone, played a key role in driving the traffic towards the stadium and increasing the quantity of people that watch our trainings.
On the third day, after the usual morning training session, the Christian brothers went for the usual prayers, their Muslim counterparts also observed the Jumat prayers before converging for special prayers at Chief Iman’s residence for special blessings.
Special attention was given to the less privilege children on the fourth day at Kwara State Children Reception Centre, Pipeline area, Ilorin where Coach Bala, Technical Adviser Kwara United, handed over food items and toiletries (like diapers, soap, cream etc) to the officer in charge of the Centre, Mr Taiye Kupolati.
The new gaffer said the gesture was to demonstrate that footballers and football administrators also have considerable measure of human face and to seek God’s favour through the innocent children.
Within his first 7 days, he played 3 Classic friendly matches; won all, with grease lightning speed studied, familiarizes and mixed freely with the people of the community.
As an ardent, impulsive, passionate magnanimous being he donated a set of jersey and five balls to BRF FC, this he did to Kwara United Feeder team sometimes late last year before the Gold Cup Tournament in Ilorin.
Coach Bala has long been recognized as having a first rate football mind, what really separate Bala from the crowd is his organizational modus operandi – the elites call it PROCESS. It is an approach he implemented first in turnarounds at Tornadoes.
He has a plan for everything, he has detailed programmes for his players to follow and he is highly regimented. Above all, Baba keeps his players and coaches focused on execution. Yes, another word for process.
Most coaches are intense, and a lot of them work hard. In fact most do. Where Coach Bala stands apart is the execution at all levels of his operation. That means defining expectations for his players athletically, academically and personally; this is critical in Coach/Players relationship-a determinant factor for trust and dedication.
Bala has good or near perfect intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships, these very important attributes have attracted many people to him and his new team. I hope he will be able to manage them well and the people will not abuse or take undue advantage of his simplicity, magnanimity and this rear uncommon privilege.
By and large, Bala micromanages – but with a purpose. He sets expectations so that everyone understands what he wants and then he can pull back. In his words “when you have a system, you kind of get in a routine of what’s important and then you spend a lot more time on thinking of things that would make it better, like what we met on ground now”.
If Coach Bala were running a company instead of a football team, he did be hailed as an elite manager. Kwara United is a big team; I hope and pray it will be bigger under him.
The season rarely allows time for sleep, it is all about the game and the clock is ticking – the next game against Kano Pillars, his first litmus test, is less than 120 hours. All we pray for is good luck for the new Coach.
AKINOLA FRANCIS GBENGA
Club’s Psychologist
No comments:
Post a Comment