Mohamad Safree (with a sunglass) with athletes representing Special Olympics Sarawak Sibu chapter after the state-level Special Olympics in Miri recently.
SIBU: It is a dream come true for Mohamad Safree Mohamad. He is picked as Sarawak’s representative for the coming Special Olympics Asia Pacific Tottenham Hotspur FC – Football Coaching Clinic in Singapore.
About 20 participants from the Asia Pacific region are expected at the clinic from Oct 23-25.
“From Borneo, there will be one each from Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, while Brunei may send one or more,” said Mohamad Safree who is Special Olympics Sarawak Sibu chapter’s head coach.
Still struggling to come to terms with reality, he thanked Special Olympics Sarawak Committee for nominating him.
“I am on cloud nine for I am very delighted that the dream of my lifetime has been fulfilled.
“In fact, it has always been my passion to serve the people, and in the process, make more friends.
“I will give my level best to make Sarawak proud and will make good this golden opportunity,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The cost of his participation is borne by Tottenham Hotspur FC.
“It is vital for one to be exposed to the latest techniques and skills to move forward.
“With the knowledge gained from this coaching clinic, it is already in my plans to impart the know-how to coaches and teachers from schools with Children with Special Needs, working on their soccer skills.
“I will also volunteer to coach local youths on technical skills,” he said.
Mohamad Safree, 46, is no new comer to coaching as he has been coaching Special Olympics Sarawak Sibu chapter since 2009.
He had attended Special Olympics coaching at the community-level here.
Last year, he attended a coaching clinic for train-the-trainer in Kuala Lumpur.
In May this year, he gave coaching on unified soccer for Special Olympics to teachers in Kuching.