Sports specialists needed: Prof

By MICHAEL PHILIP
PAPUA New Guinea can improve the standard of any sport at any level of competition only with the availability of qualified sports specialist, University of Botswana associate professor of sports and exercise psychology Dr Tshepang Tshube says.
Tshube was in Port Moresby last week facilitating a two-day (Thursday and Friday) coaching education session that was organised by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee for coaches and sports administrators.
The session aimed to prepare coaches and athletes for the Paris Olympics next month and the Mini Pacific Games in Palau next year.
“I have no doubt that PNG can improve its sports standard,” Tshube told The National.
“It can. From what I’ve seen and read about, you’ve got a lot of talented athletes. Not only that, you have the environment and facilities for it.
“What I see lacking that is necessary is knowledge. Theory is important. People need to be trained at the PhD level in sports related programmes.
“You need someone in exercise physiology, bar mechanics of sports, sports phycology, sports management, that’s what is necessary.
“Right now, you lack that but you need to do those, it’s very important because if you have that level of knowledge, then you can design sports education programmes.”
He said sports science were key fundamentals to athlete development despite having the talent and sports facilities and urged relevant sporting authorities in the country to start sending people for further studies to gain good knowledge in the field of sports science.
Tshube said failure to perform to expectations by athletes at the national and international levels were due to discipline and lack of focus.
“A lot of times we blame the coach. No, it’s the athlete’s discipline.
“They got the first win and then became so happy and act like super heroes. It’s important they practice discipline.
“Another cause is lack of focus, specifically at major games. Managing anxiety is vital. These are critical components that can hinder the athletes reaching their full potential,” he said.