KUCHING: About 100 students from the South Zone took part in the Under-12 coaching clinic which was officially launched at Stadium C on Saturday morning . The coaching clinic which was jointly organised by the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), the Educat ion Depar tment , the Sarawak Football Association (FAS) and the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) will be held in three regions – in Kuching from March 10-11, Sibu on March 17-18, and Miri on April 28-29.
MSNS officer Lucas Kalang Laeng who is chief coordinator for the clinic told the press that the objective of the project – which is the first of its kind for the Under- 12 age group – is to give early exposure of proper coaching to the players.
The training which was held from early morning to afternoon was conducted by experienced coaches from FAS and MSNS and focused on teaching skills as the younger players need to have the basics which is an important aspect of football youth development.
Lucas Kalang said the coaching clinic will be continued next year as continuity is important in football development. He said that the co-operation from the Education Department and the FAS is vital in achieving the aims of the project which is to develop the next generation of players for the State.
Also present at the function were SSC CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and FAS president Dato Posa Majais who both performed the kickoff to officially launch the event while the Sarawak Premier League full squad led by their coach Ian Andrew Gillan also turned up to surprise the boys attending the clinic. Also present were FAS vice president Abang Suhardie Abang Zainie and Education Department sports unit officer, Ashley William Kutoh.
The coaches include MSN officer and former State players Mohd Mantali, Pengiran Bala,former State coach David Usop, Asly Mohd, Ibrahim Mantali and other coaches from FAS. “We want to give the boys a morale booster to see their idols whom they can emulate.
“They may be motivated having seeing and meeting players like striker Bobby Gonzales and will aspire to be like him, said Ian Gillan . Dr. Ong who also spoke at the opening thanked the FAS for supporting the clinic which is a good project in helping develop players and was confident that they can unearth new talents to become future players to form the State team. The SSC CEO pledged his support to any activity in the development of all sports in Sarawak, especially at the grassroots level and SSC will support development programmes of all sports. The second leg of the coaching clinic will be held in SMK Lanang in Sibu in March 17-18 and SMK Merbau in Miri from April 28 to 29.
