OCA COMPLETES DEVELOPMENT COACHES,

The Olympic Council of Asia moved to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for the second stage of its ambitious and ground-breaking Development Programme for Coaches and Referees following the success of the first stage in Kuwait.

The second stage took place from November 3-7 and involved coaches and refs from 12 National Olympic Committees in Central Asia and South Asia in five sports: swimming, judo, boxing, weightlifting and wrestling.

There were 10 different programmes on offer and the second stage attracted 220 participants – figures that delighted Tony Tarraf, Head of the OCA Athletes Development Department and Special Projects.

“We are happy to say again that it was a great success, and this goes back to the organisation and definitely to the support of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. They did everything they can,” Tony said.

“There was positive feedback from all the instructors, especially when they talk about the uniqueness of this programme.

“Why the uniqueness? Because this is the only development programme that combines both the coaches and the referees together.

“I had a lot of discussion with the judo instructor from IJF, with swimming from FINA, with boxing, with weightlifting and wrestling, and they said this is unique because it is important to combine coaches and