The IAAF level–I coaching course for the athletics coaches in Tamil Nadu started at the Nehru stadium here on Tuesday.
The course, headed by Ria Lumintuarso, director of the IAAF Regional Development Centre at Jakarta, will be held for 12 days with theoretical and practical sessions everyday.
“The IAAF has now brought about changes in the education system for the coaches and this is the first level-I course to be held anywhere after the revamp,” said C.K. Valson, secretary, Athletics Federation of India.
The course features 24 participants including former National athletes and heads of city-based athletic clubs.
“The course is exclusively for coaches based in Tamil Nadu. Besides former National athletes, we also have some who run athletic clubs in the city; like, Riyaz of the Royal Athletic Club and Nagaraj of the Prime Sports Club.
“Two participants — Radhakrishnan Nair and Gopalakrishnan Pillai — are set to be involved with the training of the physical education teachers in the State schools and colleges. This seminar will help them immensely.”
MonitoringValson said that the AFI was also trying to bring a level–II course to India, to Tamil Nadu. He added that the participants would be monitored for around a year after the course by the State and National governing bodies before being certified.
