Special programme to categorize coaches

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The sports coaches in Sri Lanka are to be categorized according to their qualifications and performances and will be registered with the Sports Ministry after a training from foreign expertise coaches which will help local coaches to gain professional qualification, the Sports Ministry revealed.

Under the programme of registering coaches for 52 sports, a total of 3500 applications have already been received by the ministry.

Those who have already applied are consist of wide variety including novices and a handful who have helped to produce international level sports personnel.

The ministry's aim is to give them professional recognition after training and guide under foreign coaches in their relevant sports. Finally, they will be categorized after a special test under the international sports coaching programme in accordance with their examination results.

These measures have been taken by the Sports Ministry as there have been many instances of drop outs of Sri Lankan sprots personnel at national and international levels due to the lack of experience as a standardized coach.

The programme will help local coaches to train rural sportsmen and women with a knowledge of sports science while allowing coaches to participate in a standardized training here in Sri Lanka.

The Sports Ministry will not allow any individuals to train school and other sports personnel if they are not registered under their specialized field as a coach with the ministry.