More work awaits IOC course participants

THE 2nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Medicine Course might have ended yesterday, but for many participants, their work has just begun.

Seven experts delivered 20 papers on eight disciplines throughout the four-day course at a hotel in the capital, and the mission of the 300 participants who attended is to disseminate their knowledge in their respective sports or areas of expertise.

Conducted under the auspices of the IOC Medical Commission and funded by the Olympic Solidarity, papers were delivered on anti-doping, fitness training, rehabilitation, sports biomechanics, sports conditioning, sports nutrition, sports psychology and sports trauma.

"My message for you today is to regard this gathering not as a closing and concluding ceremony but as a starting point to propel forward. It is a long journey," said the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat.

Organised by the Department of Youth and Sports and the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), the course's objectives were to raise the awareness of local sports personnel and athletes in the fields of athletic training, doping control, exercise, physical therapy and sports trauma.

It was the second time that Brunei hosted the event, the first being in 1998.

Coaches under the Department of Youth and Sports have to hand in reports on the course in less than two weeks, and for many, it will be the time to get reacquainted with their notebooks.

One coach who produced his notebook when asked what he had learnt was national cue sports coach Lim Tat Hwe.

"What is important now is that we have to practice what we have learnt. It's a shame if we just listen to it (the talks) but don't practice," said Lim.

"The most important thing I learnt was about goal-setting, and that is something all athletes need to do.

"They also need to keep records. Records of their skills and what they need to improve on," he added.

Lim said that national cueists Ahmad Taufiq Murni and Ak Mohd Saiful Azri Pg Roslee are already doing that during their training, helping them to notice the special shots or clear breaks they have made.

Another fan of the course was the national basketball coach, who said that the course provided him a timely reminder on the subject.

"When I was in university, I studied "Prevention of Athlete's Injuries", but that was in the 80's. So a course like this is always refreshing," said Kevin Reece.

"We learnt something new everyday, things we can use for every sport. This was a good opportunity for people to find their interests and work on it," he added.

He also felt the course was important to educate the new generation of athletes and coaches.

"If you aren't in it for the youth, then what are you here for?"The Brunei Times