NOC Sports Medicine Commission Certifies 60 Participants in Basic Life Support Course
The NOC Sports Medicine and Scientific Commission, in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, successfully concluded a three-day Basic Life Support (BLS) and Heart Saver course in Lagos, certifying 60 participants with accreditation from the American Heart Association (AHA). The event, held at EHCON, aimed to equip sports professionals with the critical skills needed to save lives in both sporting and non-sporting environments.
Thirty participants were certified as Heart Savers, while an additional 30 completed the BLS course, focusing on out-of-hospital emergency response, including in sporting centers, stadiums, homes, and hospitals. The seminar, themed “Saving Lives in Critical Moments,” emphasized recognizing the early signs of heart attacks and cardiac arrest, as well as administering life-saving techniques.
The training program targeted sports medical personnel, coaches, and other stakeholders in the industry, ensuring they are equipped to respond effectively to emergencies during sporting events and other scenarios. Dr. Bojuwole Adebukola, a member of the NOC Medical and Scientific Commission, mandated participants to share their newly acquired skills with colleagues in their respective organizations.
“The NOC’s objective with this training is to ensure that those involved in sports can save athletes’ lives during competitions and training sessions. However, these skills are not limited to sports centers but can be applied anywhere in emergencies,” Dr. Adebukola remarked.
Three participants from Kwara State included Yusuf Durosinlohun, representing Squash; Bello-Lasoro Abubakar Ola of APFAN Kwara and Director of Lasora Agarawu Soccer Academy; and Chief Mrs. Abimbola Olaoye, Principal of Okuta JSS and Sports Director at ANCOPPS. Each participant completed the course and received certification from the AHA on October 10, 2024.
The training underscored the importance of rapid response during critical moments and is expected to have a lasting impact on emergency preparedness in sports and beyond.
