Written by Trackandmemes, September 15, 2023
Frank Keita is a national sportsman with fairly solid personal records, with references in 10'' 90 over 100m and 21'' 65 over 200m.
But being an athlete isn't the only thing he does, since in addition to being a physiotherapist, he is also a coach... In the world of thebelgian athletics, he's known for his desire to pass on sprinting techniques so that they can be applied precisely and efficiently!
In terms of performance, the recent evolution of our young athletes speaks for itself...
In this article, discover Frank's ambitions, in all their intimacy.
What are your goals as a coach?
It would be to provide an optimal environment for my athletes, so that they can progress in the best possible way. But I'd also like them to flourish in my group.
What do you mean by "optimal setting"?
I have athletes who have gone abroad for studies or other reasons... And what I'd like to do is create collaborations with schools, medical centers... Create a setting where they can have everything in one place.
How was your season as coach?
It's my best season ever. In fact, I say that every year, but every year it gets better and better.
I started with the very young, cadets and schoolboys, who have now moved up to the top category. They've made really good progress! Today, I can say that in the sprint discipline, my athletes are among the best in Belgium. I'm really proud.
I also have older athletes, such as Désiré Kingunza who is Belgian vice-champion in the triple jump. For me, it's a great source of pride to have been able to take part in his progress, and to know that he feels comfortable with me.
How important is it to you that the athlete feels comfortable with you?
For me, that's the most important thing, because if the athlete doesn't feel good with me, I don't see how we can continue to progress together. In fact, it's important that the athlete feels good with the coach before performing. It's not a matter of performing and then feeling good... There has to be complicity, understanding and trust before we can continue working together.
What new features are you planning for the new 2023-2024 season?
I'd like to establish a framework. That's what I do every year... I take each athlete aside, and we take stock of the season, so we know what went well and what didn't. I'd like to set up a framework.
At the start of the season, when you set a framework, things go well. But as the season progresses, motivation fades... You forget a little what was said at the very beginning... Being able to keep this framework is what I'm going to insist on a lot this year... Even if it means holding several meetings. So recite the objectives, and what you need to do to get there. A lot of athletes think they just need to train. But there are plenty of other things to do alongside training. My personal aim will be to insist on this so that we can achieve our common goals.
I know my athletes are motivated. It's good to be motivated, but you also have to do things on the side to get there.
Do you have any new athletes joining your team?
Yes, mainly sprinters. This will be a new challenge for me, and I'm honored that they've chosen me as their coach. I'm excited to be able to work with them, to help them perform at the highest level.
How do you manage your coaching ambitions with the rest of your life?
It's really complicated. Right now, I'm trying to organize myself around that because I do a lot of things on the side. I had to make a choice. Right now, I'm more focused on my role as a coach than on my status as an athlete, or any other objective for that matter. Not to mention my private life and my girlfriend.
Can you tell us more about your ambition to take your athletes to the highest level?
I think a lot of coaches want to have a top-level athlete... And to be able to follow him, whether at the European or World Championships. As a coach, that's where I come in. The aim is also to have an athlete who makes a living from his passion, and to support him as best I can in this process. If that doesn't happen, that's life, it doesn't matter. But I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen.
If you could pass on one message as a coach, what would it be?
We see a lot of athletes changing coach. From time to time it's good to go elsewhere, but I always say that if everything's going well, don't change coach. In fact, if things are going well, stay that way, because you don't know what's going on out there.
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