OCA COACHES, REFEREES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ATTRACTS 111 PARTICIPANTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) — A total of 111 representatives from 19 National Olympic Committees (NOC) in Southeast Asia and East Asia will attend the third stage of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) Development Programme for Coaches and Referees, here. 

OCA’s Director of Development and NOC Relations Wissam Trkmani said, the five-day camp that started on Monday, involves archery, badminton, table tennis and swimming.

He explained that, OCA felt the development programme presents an ideal opportunity to brief the coaches and referees on some key issues in the Olympic movement. 

Wissam said the participants will be taught both practical and theoretical sessions in coaching and refereeing, that includes presentations from experts in a series of fields that are becoming increasingly important in the modern-day Olympic movement. 

It includes Olympic values, safeguarding, the prevention of competition manipulation and anti-doping.

“The aim is that they will return to their home country and put into practice what they have learned here for the betterment of their sport and their athletes in all aspects,” he told Bernama. 

Wissam said OCA was pleased to conduct the final stage in Malaysia, after organising the first stage for West Asia zone in Kuwait and the second stage in Uzbekistan for Central and South Asia. 

“We chose Malaysia as the host for the final stage is because there are well prepared and complete facilities here. It will be easy for us and the participants because all of the equipment and facilities that are needed is complete and ready to use.

“When we ask the Olympic Council of Malaysia President Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, he fully supported us and gave green light immediately,” he added.

-- BERNAMA