The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advocated for better compensation for sports coaches in Nigeria.
The respected cleric made this statement on Sunday at the monthly Thanksgiving Service of the church, held at its national headquarters in Ebute-Meta, Lagos State.
Pastor Adeboye commended President Bola Tinubu for rewarding the Super Falcons with the naira equivalent of $100,000 each and a three-bedroom apartment for their 10th golden victory at the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
In his sermon titled ‘The Winning Team’, Adeboye, who commended the gesture of the President, said coaches should not get less compensation than the players because players depended on the experience, direction and technical know-how of coaches.
His words, “When you go through the scriptures, you will discover in Revelation 2:17 that overcomers will get gifts.
“So, I wasn’t surprised when the President decided to give gifts to the Falcons. When they said each will get a $100,000, I said, ‘Wow”, he added.
The Pastor further stressed, “In our days, all we got was a handshake. And that they won’t just get the money, they will even get a house. And then they were given honours.
“I thank the President for the gifts to the Falcons. However, I am not quite sure I agree that the coaches should get less than the players because, without coaches, the team will not succeed. But I don’t want to get into controversies. God bless the coaches, ” he added.
The cleric, a trained boxer in his youth, recalled how his coach pushed him and his teammates through rigorous training, which built strength and helped them reach their potential.
