KUCHING: The Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) are continuously striving to upgrade and improve the quality of local coaches in Sarawak.
SSC chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee said the coaches need to display good professional attitude as quality coaches produce quality athletes.
“That is one of the reasons why we are bringing in foreign coaches who are former top athletes or coaches in their countries.
“We want local coaches to learn from their foreign counterparts and hopefully one day take over from them when they (foreign coaches) are no longer with Sarawak,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
According to Ong, there are currently 78 elite coaches of whom 22 are foreigners while there are about 240 local coaches for the centres of excellence and centres of development, looking after over 30 sports.
“They should work closely with each other, share knowledge, ideas and experience, and that is why we are setting up a coaching corner soon at the High Performance Unit (HPU) at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre.
“We are also evaluating all the coaches whether they are foreign or local to make sure that they are constantly on their toes,” added Ong.
He said the coaches would be constantly monitored by the sports development officers, HPU and the sports associations, adding that their contract evaluation would be based on their performance.
“SSC and MSNS will organise coaching courses from time to time and the coaches should update and upgrade themselves by attending the latest coaching seminar, conference, workshop and courses up to national and international levels.
“And whatsoever courses they have attended, they should apply what they have learned in coaching and not just for the certificates,” he stressed.