Lagos – Kazeem Imam, an athlete with the Lagos State Weightlifting Association (LSWA) on Monday called for the inclusion of sports medicine doctors as part of officials to international competitions.
Imam told The Nigerian Observer in Lagos that this was to complement the services of a physiotherapist which were usually attached to a team to international competitions.
“Sports contingent on international competitions usually comprised administrative officers, athletes, technical officials and physiotherapist, the inclusion of a sport medicine doctor would make a team more complete.
“Inclusion of a sport medicine doctor in a team would also boost the confidence of an athlete that with any injury, he or she will have an expert to attend to him or her,’’ he said.
According to him, sport medicine doctors are more knowledgeable in athlete’s psychology and will guide them on procedures that will enhance their performances.
He said that sport medicine doctors were also needed in identifying athlete’s moods to training and type of food they should take that would not have adverse effect on them.
“Most of our athletes wittingly or unwittingly fall victim of dope test when they represent Nigeria in international championships, because they lack sport medicine doctor,’’ he added.
The lifter, however, urged athletes to strictly adhere to sports medicine doctor’s instructions whenever such offer was extended to them.
According to Imam strict adherence to instruction from sport medicine doctors will help to protect the nation’s image at international tournaments.
