Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Singapore: Participants of a recently concluded AFC Regional Coaching Instructor Course in Singapore have finished the programme empowered and vowed to train coaches better in their home countries.
Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Vice President Lim Kia Tong closed the comprehensive course which was attended by 21 participants from the East and ASEAN regions of the AFC.
It was the first time that Singapore was hosting the course, which was one of two AFC Regional Coaching Instructor Courses held this year aimed at expanding the pool of coaching instructors.
The participants completed various modules to improve their coaches instructing skills during the course which kicked off on October 22.
These modules included sessions on the development of support play, communication skills and a session on the physical preparation of young players. AFC/FIFA Instructors Lim Kim Chon (Malaysia) and P.N. Sivaji (Singapore) delivered both the theoretical and practical sessions.
Richard Bok of Singapore felt honoured to have been selected as one of the participants at this year’s course and to join the ranks of Asian regional instructors.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to partake in this course which is aimed to develop our skills as an instructor,” he told FAS’ official website fas.org.sg. “The programme has a comprehensive structure that enables us to track our developments thoroughly, as well as improve on certain areas.
“The course also provided a good opportunity to network with our counterparts from around the region to share different experiences with the objective of developing best practices. I would like to thank both FAS and AFC for providing me with this opportunity.
“This course is in line with the coaching direction set in the Strategic Plan of increasing the pool of qualified instructors, who will in turn be able to mould the future of local football. I hope that I will be able to contribute positively to both the local and Asian coaching community and look forward to assisting more coaches and players fulfill their potential.”
Korean Lee Lim-saeng, coach of S.League club Home United FC, was happy with his club’s win and also the feedback from his fellow course participants on his team’s performance.
The participants were given an opportunity to observe an S.League match between Balestier Khalsa FC and Home United, which ended favourably to Lee’s club.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to have the participants observe the match and provide constructive feedback,” said Lee. “The past 10 days have been a fruitful experience and I hope to be able to impart what I have gained to fellow aspiring coaches and players. There is a lot of potential in the Asian football community and I would like to be able to tap on this effectively.”
There was also a light moment amidst the various workshops, where Bai Lili, a member of the Chinese national women’s squad in the 2004 Olympics, celebrated her birthday on October 29.
“I would like to express my appreciation to both FAS and AFC for providing me with this opportunity,” said Bai, who was made AFC Grassroots Ambassador during the celebration of AFC Grassroots Day on May 15 and launch of AFC Grassroots Year 2013.
“I have acquired many useful skills from the various workshops that were organised, in particular the practical sessions with players from Jurongville Secondary School. Youth development is an important step in the road towards football excellence and I am glad that it was one of the key aspects of this course.
“I am also especially moved to have the opportunity to celebrate my birthday amongst new friends in this beautiful city of Singapore. It has been a memorable course and I hope to be able to inspire more coaches with the skills that I have attained.”
Photo: FAS