Softball Asia in collaboration with the Japan Softball Association (SA-JSA) will be conducting a three-day course for Asian coaches from Jan 22-24 in Kuala Lumpur.
The course instructors are reputable and experienced coaches from Japan and will see coaches from five countries participate, namely, from Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Philippines and Malaysia.
There will be a total of 37 participants.
The course will be conducted by Reika Utsugi the Japan’s National Women head coach) who played for Japan. Originally from China, she was naturalised as a Japanese citizen in 1995. She played for the Japanese teams that won silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and bronze at 2004 Olympics and was the manager of the 2020 Olympics team that won gold.
The other instructors are Yukiko Ueno (Pitcher – Japan National Team – 2 time Olympic gold medal team, Urara Fugimoto (Outfielder), Yu Yamamoto, Urara Fujimoto while Aiko Nakamura will be interpreter.This is not a Coaching Certification Seminar.
Those coaches who wish to obtain WBSC-SA Coaching Certification should attend the SA Coaching Certification Seminar which will be held in Pattaya Thailand from 17 – 20 February 2024. This is a coaching clinic in Kuala Lumputr is intended for coaches of national (senior and junior) teams as well as national athletes (Senior and U18) who wish to attend to refine their skills and have more in-depth knowledge and a golden opportunity for participants to share experiences with the Japan National Team Head Coach and some of the JPN national team athletes.
This clinic is open to both men and women teams coaches as well as male and female athletes.
The various topics which will be touched on during the three-day course will include the Role of the head coach, athletes preparation, catching, throwing and fielding and pitching methods, batting and stretching and warm-up of teams.
The course will involve theory and practical sessions.
SA president Datuk Low Beng Choo said: “SA is lucky to get these experienced coaches and instructors from Japan, a leading power in the game, to conduct this course.
“The coaches are going to benefit greatly from this three-day course and will help greatly to raise the overall standard of the game in our region.
“I personally would like to thank Japan Softball Association and the instructors for working with SA, to conduct this valuable course for our coaches in the region.”
The course will be conducted at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil.