INTERVIEW: How Nigeria can get more 'Amusans' - Coach Ayodele Solaja
Despite the harsh realities, challenges and adverse conditions, many Nigerian coaches are doing their utmost to continue to unearth talent for the country.
Many of them rarely get an accolade when the moments of glory come, but they remain satisfied watching their hard work blossom into something they never imagined.
For trainer Ayodele Solaja, commonly referred to as Buka T in athletics circles, his joy knows no bounds at seeing one of his offspring, Amusan, become both a world record holder and world champion.
In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Buka T relive the humble beginnings of Oluwatobiloba Amusan in the ancient city of Ijebu Ode.
Unfortunately, the coach reveals how several other talents; some even "better" than Amusan have never been on the world podium.
Excerpts…
PT: Congratulations Coach! Are you going to the Commonwealth Games to see your girlfriend (Tobi Amusan)?
Buka T: No, I'm in the World Juniors camp in Asaba. We are preparing for the upcoming competition in Colombia.
PT: So how is the preparation going with the youngsters?
Buka T: It's going well. We're at full throttle, all things being equal.
PT: Do you see Nigeria matching the feat we achieved in Nairobi or even doing better than the last World Championships?
Buka T: I think because some countries didn't participate in the Kenya Under 20, this one might be a bit more difficult, with the Americans coming in, but at the same time, we have good athletes who can perform well. I think we will do as much, if not better.
Coach and some other athletesPT: Most people know that Tobi Amusan is one of the many athletes who have come under your tutelage. Did it surprise you to see her performance at the World Championships where she broke the world record?
Buka T: It was a surprise. I didn't see the world record coming. What I actually saw was that she was on the podium. I was expecting maybe 12.3s or more. I thought even gold would be enough because anything could always happen in the final.
When she ran the heats and broke the African record, that's when I knew something like this could happen. I knew she wasn't running flat out, she was running to qualify and she was running so relaxed. I knew she had so much more in store after that race. That's when I had the feeling that it was possible.
PT: How proud are you that a girl you trained took the world by storm?...
Despite the harsh realities, challenges and adverse conditions, many Nigerian coaches are doing their utmost to continue to unearth talent for the country.
Many of them rarely get an accolade when the moments of glory come, but they remain satisfied watching their hard work blossom into something they never imagined.
For trainer Ayodele Solaja, commonly referred to as Buka T in athletics circles, his joy knows no bounds at seeing one of his offspring, Amusan, become both a world record holder and world champion.
In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Buka T relive the humble beginnings of Oluwatobiloba Amusan in the ancient city of Ijebu Ode.
Unfortunately, the coach reveals how several other talents; some even "better" than Amusan have never been on the world podium.
Excerpts…
PT: Congratulations Coach! Are you going to the Commonwealth Games to see your girlfriend (Tobi Amusan)?
Buka T: No, I'm in the World Juniors camp in Asaba. We are preparing for the upcoming competition in Colombia.
PT: So how is the preparation going with the youngsters?
Buka T: It's going well. We're at full throttle, all things being equal.
PT: Do you see Nigeria matching the feat we achieved in Nairobi or even doing better than the last World Championships?
Buka T: I think because some countries didn't participate in the Kenya Under 20, this one might be a bit more difficult, with the Americans coming in, but at the same time, we have good athletes who can perform well. I think we will do as much, if not better.
Coach and some other athletesPT: Most people know that Tobi Amusan is one of the many athletes who have come under your tutelage. Did it surprise you to see her performance at the World Championships where she broke the world record?
Buka T: It was a surprise. I didn't see the world record coming. What I actually saw was that she was on the podium. I was expecting maybe 12.3s or more. I thought even gold would be enough because anything could always happen in the final.
When she ran the heats and broke the African record, that's when I knew something like this could happen. I knew she wasn't running flat out, she was running to qualify and she was running so relaxed. I knew she had so much more in store after that race. That's when I had the feeling that it was possible.
PT: How proud are you that a girl you trained took the world by storm?...
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