THE Penang State Sports Council (PSCC) launched its Penang Junior Coaches programme today with the hope of hiring up to 200 part-time coaches.

State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the first phase of the programme would involve 10 sports, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, hockey, netball, petanque, sepak takraw, silamban and silat.

Soon says the state and PSSC want to expand its pool of coaches.

“More sports will be included under Phase Two and Phase Three. We want to rope in quality coaches to expand our coaching staff to help develop more athletes for the state,” Soon said during a virtual launching of the Penang Junior Coaches programme today.

“The programme provides an opportunity for the state’s athletes and former athletes to take up junior coaching for a year as a start.

“They will be given an allowance and if they show potential and commitment, they will be considered for full-time job.”

Soon said the programme is open to athletes who are between 18 and 25 years old, reside in Penang, have represented Penang at national-level championships and need to sit and pass the Penang Junior Coaches coaching certificate after registration.

He added that the state government and PSSC take sports development seriously.

“Every sport needs coaches and I encourage every association to organise courses for the coaches.

“Without coaches, the sports will not be able to grow. Very often, we focus on the athletes. Coaches also play a vital role to give a positive impact to the sports in Penang and help the athletes achieve success,” he said.