National judo to benefit from certified coach

Shakeel becomes first Pakistani to be recognised by IJF.

KARACHI: Gujranwala-based Qamar Shakeel returned from Budapest as the first Pakistani to acquire a coaching certificate from the International Judo Federation (IJF).

Shakeel, who has spent more than 20 years training local athletes, was selected to represent Pakistan in the Hungarian capital after taking rigorous online tests in September to qualify for the last stage.

The IJF chose 16 participants from 25 other countries; Shakeel was the only Pakistani to be picked.



His aggregate score was 80% at the end of the week-long coaching training and he came back home with hopes of promoting modern techniques among local players.

“It’s an honour and a milestone for me,” Shakeel told The Express Tribune. “Being able to represent Pakistan in the international coaching circuit was very helpful for me and for the Pakistan Judo Federation as well.”

Shakeel said that one of the most important lessons he learnt from the course was to try new things at domestic level.

“Technique is everything in martial arts. As coaches, it is required of us to make sure that our athletes are technically sound.”

He added that he wants to apply new methods of coaching in national camps.

“I can’t wait to experiment and apply these new methods in my clubs in Gujranwala and the national women’s camp that will take place in Islamabad next month.”

According to Shakeel, he also learnt the importance of having faith in the athletes and giving enough chances to the players in international events.

“We often dismiss an athlete after two bad performances, but that is not fair. I learnt that even the best athletes need time to improve gradually.”

He said that he will try for the IJF Level II course next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2013.

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