Group photo of participating coaches and tutor
OS/ITF Level 1 Coaches Course in Pakistan a Great Success
After 6 years, the ITF Level 1 Coaches Course returned to Pakistan with its updated syllabi and the new name: "Coaching Beginner and Intermediate Tennis Players' Course". ITF expert Amir Borghei conducted the course from 21st November to 2nd December at the PTF Tennis Centre in Islamabad with Kamran Khalil (PAK) and Bahi Tharma (SRI) assisting him as 2nd and 3rd tutors. The three-day Play Tennis course working on the ITF Play and Stay and Tennis 10s campaign was an interesting part for the 24 participating coaches.
The main course also was conducted according to the Level 1 Course program and covered many topics on working with Beginner-Intermediate Players. The concept of Game Based Approach-GBA, tactical, physical conditioning as well as mental on-court drills, familiarisation with organisation of group and individual practice, lessons’ progressions, etc. were among parts of the program.
Shahzad Akhtar Alvi and Muhammad Arif Qureshi (course coordinator) helped a lot throughout the course and made a short presentation for coaches on the rules of tennis (both of them ITF white badges).
The closing ceremony was attended by Senator Dalwar Abbas (ATF Vice-President for South Asia) and Mirvaiz Niaz (PTF Vice-President) who made speeches and presented the ITF Certificates of Attendance.
Participation of some of the Pakistan Davis Cup and Fed Cup players, as well as other nationally ranked players, led to the program being one of the highest level courses in Asia. Feedback received from participants was as follows:
Aqeel Khan (Pakistan Davis Cup player and world no. 349 in 1994) quoted: "This course was a new phase for me to learn more about coaching and, as I'm still playing, this information is very helpful for my playing career. After this course we will implement the knowledge gained for grass roots in Pakistan. Amir was nice and humble with each and everyone and had a great and understandable teaching language which we have not experienced before”.
Sara Mansoor (Pakistan Fed Cup player) said: "This course was a completely new and different experience. The program was very informative and an eye opener for coaches. As a player, I never knew such tactical and technical concepts before this course. Amir did a great job in teaching and leading us to become better coaches."