Allen Jallah - An African Perspective on European Basketball

 

 

Question: How did you find out about the MSc (Master degree) in European Basketball Coaching Science which is run at University of Worcester and what do you hope to achieve after completion of the programme?

 

Allen Jallah (AJ): My first knowledge of the program was via my wife. While she was browsing the net to specifically search for programs of this nature, she fortunately found and immediately enquire about it. Following her enquiries, she informed me. This prompted me to also check and confirm. Based on my confirmation, I got very interested after cataloguing the contents of the entire program. My motivation for the program was based on the fact that it presented and offered an opportunity to acquire a high level of formal education and managerial expertise in Basketball coaching in Europe, where I think the game is rapidly developing and being standardized.

 

At the end of this programme I intend to achieve, amongst other things:

  • Vast knowledge related to management, coaching and supervision of the game of basketball, as it relates to comparative assessment of Europe, Africa and other International Federations.
  • I would also like to attain a formal qualification that is internationally recognized and acceptable to guarantee me a competitive coaching status on global perspectives.
  • Finally, my aspiration is to take advantage and explore every opportunity afforded me through this program, i.e. access to international basketball clinics, to high profile and experienced coaches of the game of basketball. Moreover, I anticipate taking advantage of all the necessary contacts and opportunities this program provides.

 

Question: What did you enjoy most about the MSc programme so far?

 

AJ: I have enjoyed the enormous opportunities through sharing and receiving ideas, and experience with other international students (coming from across the globe). I have also enjoyed firsthand knowledge about how other coaches handled similar situations that I previously encountered and how they successfully dealt with the different cases. More importantly, I have also enjoyed the experience this program has provided, in terms of the opportunity to know about how and why others are, and can be more successful; the impacts of trained and qualified coaches, along with trained and prepared athletes, coupled with materials and equipments on the game itself.

 

Question: Speaking about basketball, what do you see as the main differences between European basketball and African basketball from a playing perspective?

 

AJ: Generally, there is fundamental difference about the way basketball is played in Europe as compared to Africa. In Europe, it is more disciplined oriented relative to execution of play calls at all levels and ages. This is inclusive of defence and offense. This reason principally points to SUPPORT and PROGRAMMES, whereby athletes are more trained and better drilled in the fundamentals of the game, thereby making them better equipped with adequate decisions to execute strategies and tactics during the game. This is not the case with African players, they basically lack the fundamentals of the game due to the lack of programs and support.

 

Question: How about from a coaching perspective - are there any differences?

 

AJ: From a coaching perspective, it’s generally much easier in terms of discipline and control; with regards to what, how and when programmes are, and can be executed. But this gets a little tricky at the higher level since majority of the athletes at this level are volunteers whose livelihood are not supported by basketball and therefore have little or nothing to lose if they decide to stop playing or leave the club for another. Comparatively, in Europe, the Professional leagues are well paid/remunerated, thereby evoking negative implication to those who may decide to abort the game.

 

Another crucial factor that affects coaching in Africa is the limited opportunity accessible to coaches, and even if available, the time may not be available to efficiently perform the duty. This constraint is vital, because most of the players in Africa lose the technical fundamentals at the early age due to the lack of programmes, and qualified coaching expertise for young athletes at the developing divisional level. This leaves coaches at the advanced divisional level with the combined responsibility of teaching and coaching these fundamentals, which consume valuable time that could/should be used to work on strategic and tactic. In other words, coaches must be cognizant that, at this level of basketball in Africa, players tend to demonstrate more physical maturity, while exhibiting less mental maturity when compared to that of Europe.

 

Question: What topic area will you focus on for your independent research study (dissertation)?

 

AJ: My focus and emphasis will be placed on research, pointing to the effect (if any) of European basketball on the African’s game. Furthermore, I will focus specifically on the aspect of authority and discipline. Notable consideration will be made on the examination of the extent of players’ tolerance as it relates to a coaching authority, and to what extent said player would allow that authority to transform or change the playing style. This will require exploration of the motivating factors of such tolerance, in order to understand how much of it was driven by basketball played in Europe or on other continent, or other sport.

 

Thank you very much indeed for all you answers and good luck with your studies!

 

Coaching education

  • Semmelweis University, Institute of Coaching and Sport Education in Budapest (Hungary).
  • Level 2 Basketball Coaching Certificate from the International Olympic Committee in Liberia.
  • Certificate of participation in the 1st Clinic for Basketball Referees from the International Olympic Committee in Liberia.
  • Certificate of participation (football) in an Olympic Solidarity Course for the Confederation of African Football.

 

Coaching experience

  • 10 years basketball coaching experience (youth and senior teams in Premier Division).
  • Coach of U 21 Liberia National team.
  • Coach of Liberia Senior National team.