Kifli Hj Jaafar (L) delviering his lecture yesterday. BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
Brunei needs more coaches at all levels to ensure the growth and development of sports in the country, the head of the Coaching and Sports Development Unit, Department of Youth and Sports said yesterday.
Held at the Lecture Theatre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, Kifli Hj Jaafar's half-hour lecture as part of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) Seminar for Young Athletes was focused on the employment of local coaches.
According to Kifli, sports in Brunei can be divided into many layers of levels, starting from grassroots up to the national and international levels. Therefore, the services of coaches - especially locals - is very much needed.
"When we talk about coaches, most people only know about the coaches who are coaching at the national and international level, and they are not aware of the existences of coaches at the grassroots level, school level, club level and even to the district level," said Kifli during his lecture at the seminar yesterday.
"We need coaches at these levels for the development of all sports, and the local athletes are the most likely candidates to fill in these positions as they already possess the basic skill and technique in their respective fields.
"Brunei is currently gearing up for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which we will be hosting in 2019, and we need local coaches to be available at all the four districts to train and to look after the athletes," he stressed.
Kifli said there are more than 40 coaching courses at different levels being offered by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS).
"The Coaching and Sports Development Unit, Department of Youth and Sports also offer a different type of coaching services such as contract and part-time," continued Kifli who holds a Master of Education in Sports Science from the Sultan Idris University of Education in Malaysia.
"For athletes who hold certificates in coaching issued by the international, regional or even local sports association, they are always encouraged and considered to apply to become coaches," he added. He then added that the athletes can also pursue other careers in sports such as sports journalism, sports medicine and science.
"We have young athletes who are currently still in school, and it is not too late for these athletes to grab the opportunity to pursue this as our country still lacks in these areas," he added. The seminar is organised by BDNOC in cooperation with the Department of Youth and Sports.
Held in conjunction with BDNOC's 30th anniversary, the seminar carries the theme "Bridging the Gap: Synergy Towards Success".
