The Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) held the Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics Coaching Course for the very first time in India from 17th to 24th February 2019. Hosted by the Gymnastics Federation of India, the course was held at the Shree CA Patel Learning Institute in Mota Fofalia, Gujarat.
The FIG Academy is a flagship coaching program initiative by the FIG to aid coaches around the world with techniques and a more scientific understanding of the sport. It is conducted under the aegis and supervision of the FIG itself.
Since it was held in India, it gave numerous coaches and former gymnasts an opportunity to attend the course and real it’s benefits. Over 50 coaches across the country in Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics attended the course.
The course is taught by FIG experts and a course leader namely, Derick Scholtz from South Africa, WAG Expert Éva Szloboda from Hungry and MAG expert Kevin James from Australia shared their expertise.
This was a seven day course ending with a Theory and Practical exam where each coach is assigned a skill and has to prepare a small presentation about how he/she would teach the particular skill. Experts will then assess the presentation based on the criteria set by FIG.
Multiple national level medalists, active senior and recently retired gymnasts and current coaches were a part of the course. International level and currently India’s top male gymnast, Rakesh Kumar Patra and International gymnast Tumpa Debnath were some of the significant attendees.
“Such courses and coaching camps should happen more often. This way the knowledge will help all the coaches to further improve and to improve the quality of gymnastics in India,’ said Tumpa Debnath multiple time National Champion.
We wish all the coaches good luck for their coaching endeavors and hope to see them in Level 2 which will hopefully happen soon in India.
By Aditi Gandhi