Mohd Aiman Abdullah during a private one-on-one coaching lesson at the National Tennis Centre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas yesterday. BT/Zul Zainal
Brunei No 1 tennis player Aiman Abdullah is waiting for his results after finishing the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) Level 2 Coaching Course in Thailand on May 17.
The ITF Level 2 Coaching Course, endorsed by the Olympic Solidarity Commission, is an invitational 12-day clinic with the last three days used as a final assessment period.
The goal of the course was to give participants the competencies to teach tennis to intermediate and advanced players involved in competition. Throughout the 12-day course, participants were continually assessed by the ITF tutors and then they must undertake several tests, including an individual lesson test, a group lesson test, a tennis demonstration test and a written theory test.
Speaking to The Brunei Times before the weekly coaching sessions he conducts for Under-12s in the national tennis scheme, Aiman talked about the valuable experience he gained from joining the coaching course and also how it will contribute to his future plans in tennis.
"Alhamdulilah, I managed to finish the 12-day course. The results will only come out in two to three weeks (so) let's hope it's good news," said the national tennis player when met at the National Tennis Centre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. "I can't emphasise enough though of how valuable the experience was, even if I don't pass. In European countries, like Spain, the Level 2 test is held on a monthly basis.
"But in the Southeast Asian region the test is held maybe up to twice a year, so it's part of the reason why I wanted to go, because it's held so rarely in this part of the world. Opportunities and experiences like these are hard to come by," he said.
"The other reason is that it's part of my plan to build up the next generation of Brunei tennis players, InsyaAllah. "Passion for the game is what's motivating me as a player and as a coach, and it would be a waste if there was no one properly qualified to guide the next generation of tennis players here," he added.
The 21-year-old also thanked the Brunei Darussalam Tennis Association for giving him the opportunity to participate in the course.
