Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 7, 2022: Plans are already afoot at Olympic Council of Asia HQ in Kuwait to hold the Development Programme for coaches and referees on an annual basis according to Tony Tarraf, one of the main forces behind the much-lauded project.
Speaking at the end of Stage 2 of the OCA Development Programme in Tashkent for National Olympic Committees in Central and South Asia on Monday, November 7, Tarraf revealed the project would be sustainable and held on a yearly basis.
“Next year, we will complete the entire programme with Stage 3 to be held for NOCs in East Asia and Southeast Asia. After that we will look at the sustainability of this programme, and I’m glad to say we have already started planning for a yearly programme,” said Tarraf, OCA Head of Athletes Development Department and Special Projects.
“We have already received the green light from the International Federations who have been involved in the programme, saying they will support us by sending their expert instructors, and with this assurance we will go ahead and plan an annual programme,” Tarraf outlined.
The ambitious and pioneering project by the OCA to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for coaches and referees in different sports to learn modern coaching techniques and rule updates began in Kuwait in March, 2022 with 12 West Asian NOCs sending 520 coaches and referees in nine sports.
Stage 2 – the first roadshow for the project – from November 3-7 in the Uzbek capital Tashkent was for five sports – boxing, judo, wrestling, weightlifting and swimming – with 12 NOCs from Central and South Asia sending 227 participants. Swimming was the only sport that figured in the first stage with the focus being on sports which are traditionally favoured by hosts Uzbekistan and other Central Asian NOCs.
“Once again the OCA has received wide acclaim and praise from all the participants as well as the instructors for holding this programme. Combining coaches and referees together has been an outstanding success with both parties being able to learn off each other,” Tarraf pointed out.
“The OCA must also thank the Uzbekistan NOC who has been tremendously helpful. From day one they have been at our beck and call and given us all the support and we are very grateful to them.
“I believe this experience of holding an international seminar for a number of sports will hold them good as they look ahead to hosting the Asian Youth Games in Tashkent in 2025,” Tarraf added.
Meanwhile, Stage 3 for East Asia and Southeast Asia NOCs is likely to be held in the first half of next year – at a venue to be decided – as the Hangzhou Asian Games will be staged in September, 2023.