World Athletics Level-1 Coaching Course kicks off in Peshawar to boost grassroots sports
World Athletics Level-1 Coaching Course kicks off in Peshawar to boost grassroots sports
By Nawaz Gohar ; The World Athletics Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level-1 Coaching Course officially kicked off in Peshawar. The 13-day intensive program brings together over 30 male and female coaches from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and other provinces of Pakistan.
The high-profile initiative is organized through a joint collaboration between the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Athletics Association, and the Directorate General of Sports KP.
Director General of Sports KP, Ashfaq Khan, attended the inauguration as the chief guest. Prominent sports administrators present at the ceremony included Colonel Shahjehan Mir, Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan; Engineer Saif-ul-Islam, Secretary of the Provincial Athletics Association;
Jamshed Baloch, Director of Operations; Shah Faisal, Assistant Director; Shafqatullah, Chief Coach; Director Jaffer Shah; Administrator Abid Nazim; Zaffran Afridi; and Yousaf Afridi.
Addressing the audience, DG Sports Ashfaq Khan emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa possesses an abundance of athletic talent, which simply requires modern training and structured guidance to excel.
“Sports not only highlight the skill and potential of our youth, but they also contribute significantly to the national economy and bolster Pakistan’s international profile,” Khan stated. “While our athletes hold tremendous natural potential, coaches play the ultimate pivotal role in steering them toward success.
Coaches and trainers act like diamond cutters—it is their responsibility to discover raw, hidden talent across the province, polish it, and prepare these individuals for national and international arenas.”
Khan assured that the Directorate General of Sports KP will continue to fully support modern coaching courses and athletic initiatives to build local capacity and elevate regional sports standards.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Engineer Saif-ul-Islam, Secretary of the KP Athletics Association, highlighted the proven capability of regional athletes who continue to deliver standout performances at the national level.
He noted that equipping coaches with modern, scientific training methodologies will further unlock the full potential of the province’s athletes, paving the way for international achievements.
