DUBAI: There is no doubt that UAE cricket is in safe hands after former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed was handed over the coaching responsibility earlier this year.
Already armed with vast coaching experience, Javed will further add to his kitty as he heads to Pakistan to attend the elite Masters Level-IV coaching course which is being held for the first time in Pakistan cricket’s history.
“There is no ending to learning. You can’t say I have learnt everything since everyday you get to know so many things,” Javed told XPRESS.
The course is held by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in collaboration with Cricket Australia at the National Cricket Academy from November 11 to 16. Alongside the PCB will also organize its second High Performance Level-3 coaching course.
“More than the techniques, it’s about dealing with people. You get to learn so many things. There are billions of people in this world and you come across different people with different mindset. So you need to have an open mind and respect different things by showing keenness on learning,” Javed added.
The course gathers significance since there are only a few cricket boards, including the frontline cricketing nations, which have the capacity to hold this elite course.
“It’s the first time for the Australian set up. England have their Level VI course but that’s equivalent to Australia’s Level III. So we were insisting and requesting Cricket Australia to introduce something more than Level III. We are happy that they are doing this for the first time in Pakistan,” Javed said.
PCB has acquired the services of a quartet of highly qualified Australian presenters including Ross Turner, Alan Campbell, David Mann and Natasha Campbell who are expected to deliver lectures on biomechanics, sports psychology, physical and mental training and sports management.
“Those attending the courses include a lot of reputed former Test and First Class cricketers who have taken up coaching as an extension of their cricketing careers and are committed to improving their credentials,” said a PCB release.
Javed gets the invitation since he has served the Pakistan cricket earlier.
“Aqib is currently with another team but he’ll be invited because he has served Pakistan cricket in the past,” a PCB official told the Express Tribune in Pakistan.
“We want our coaches to understand the game in a better manner. There is a need to work on the biomechanics side of things because coaches tend to make changes in players that they shouldn’t. There is a need to understand that it’s the body that needs modification whether in batting, bowling or fielding,” the official added.
Following the course, the applicants will have six months to prepare their assignments after which another six-day seminar will be held to assess their submissions.
“I’m excited to go be part of it. Let me learn and gain the knowledge and I’m sure UAE will surely benefit since I will be sharing my experience with the coaches here,” Javed noted.
