Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kota Kinabalu: AFC Project Future Coaches graduate Osmera Omaro is using ‘every ounce of knowledge’ from the continental coach grooming programme to make him a better coach.
The 33-year-old Malaysian was a member of Batch 2008 of Project Future Coaches, a two-year development programme for young or new coaches with potential, and graduated in 2010 with an AFC ‘B’ coaching certificate.
He is now Sabah State Head Youth Coach under the National Football Development Programme, a post he has been holding since 2011, based in the state’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu.
Omaro (pictured) has shared with The-AFC.com his duty and achievements so far as well as his future outlook:
“The programme I head consists of 120 players training at the designated training centre. For the Sabah state, it’s at the Likas National School. The 120 players comprise 20 players per age group (aged between seven and 12). I also have seven part-time coaches as my assistants.
“The programme is under the supervision of Mr. Lim Kim Chon, the Football Association of Malaysia’s Technical Director. I believe this programme is well planned and has shown signs of being a success.
“In 2011, I led the Sabah U-12 at the national-level MyKids Soccer Tournament and also at the Champion of Champions Tournament held in Terengganu state in December 2012.
“Two players from my centre are currently with the National Team Project 2019. More are expected to join this squad soon, hopefully. Last year, two other players from Sabah represented Malaysia at the Saitama International U-12 Tournament in Japan.
“The year 2012 has also seen me going through the FIFA FUTURO III Grassroots Instructor’s Course in Vientiane, Laos.
“The National Football Development Committee has also announced the opening of a second centre soon for all states, and for Sabah, it will be in Keningau district, so I’ll have my hands full soon.”
Omaro believes he has overcome many challenges in his job thanks to his education provided by the Project Future Coaches programme.
“I’ve had a challenging time so far but I believe I have done well, so far at least. Every day is a learning experience and I’m amazed at how much more I must still learn,” he said.
“The Project Future education has been of tremendous help to me. I think I’ve utilised every ounce of knowledge from Project Future to make me better at my job.”