Former Nigerian decathlete and experienced athletics coach Ayodele Solaja, widely called “Buka T”, has taken up the post of Director of the Track and Field Academy at the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy (SOCA) in Wasimi Orile, Ogun State.
New role at SOCA
- Solaja left his coaching job at a school in Port Harcourt to accept the academy leadership position.
- The former police officer is particularly recognised for spotting and coaching world record-holder Tobi Amusan during the early stage of her athletics development in Ijebu Ode.
- SOCA founder and former Nigeria international Chief Segun Odegbami announced the appointment through his social-media account.
- Solaja replaces Lee Edward Evans, the celebrated American athlete who won two Olympic gold medals, became a world champion and held a world record. Evans directed the academy for two years before his death three years ago.
Developing future Nigerian stars
Solaja has been tasked with continuing Evans’ work of finding and developing the next wave of Nigerian sprinting and jumping talent at the specialist sports school.
- Since beginning the role last month, Solaja has introduced a number of youth-focused athletics initiatives.
- These include training programmes organised by age group and recurring sessions for chosen student-athletes at the MKO Abiola International Sports Arena.
- He is also overseeing work on a purpose-built 200-metre grass track that is being integrated into the academy campus.
- Senior SOCA students have already started using the institution’s new Adewale Bashir Adeniyi Gymnasium for training.
