To promote physical fitness and outdoor sports activities among the children of Indian expatriates living in Jeddah, Indian Youth Welfare Association (IYWA), Jeddah, has started free football coaching camp which was inaugurated by the Principal of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ), Masood Ahmed, recently. Speaking on the occasion the principal commended the initiative taken up by IYWA, a non-profit and non-political association, and advised the youths to take up outdoor sports which will increase their physical fitness and ward off obesity. President IYWA, Surendra Pal Singh, said there was excellent response from the community for the initiative. Based on the success IYWA has decided to start coaching sessions for other sports, popular among Indians, as well. According to the program coordinator of the football coaching camp and general secretary of IYWA, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, the aim of the camp is to encourage teenagers to come out and enjoy outdoor sports. He said IYWA has decided to target the age group of 8-16, when the children are growing up. Football was chosen to begin with as it is considered “the true international sport”. Coaching sessions have been divided into age-specific groups. These also include one-on-one program for goalkeeping, defense and attack skills. The coaching camp will take place every Thursday and Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Those interested may contact event manager Anwarul Haq (0507542566) or assistant event manager Farooq Ahmed (0509558125). Zaki, himself a former national football player of India, said coaching camp session aims to develop the skills of boys through scientific training methods under the guidance of Indian national football trainers and supervision by senior national and state level players such as Mohammed Jaweed, Syed Kazim Hussain, Mir Taqi Ali and Mir Fazal Ali.
