The WBSC organised from 10 to 15 January, together with Softball Asia, the first Softball Coaching Certification Seminar for levels 1 and 2 in the Region. The event received the support of the Softball Association of Malaysia, the Penang Softball Association and the Penang Sports Council.
The Seminar was held at the Penyayang Community Complex (Komplexs Masyarakat Penyayang), Jalan Utama, Georgetown, Penang and the Polo ground. A total of 68 coaches participated. The participants from Malaysia were 44 (20 from Penang, 24 from other states), while 24 of the coaches came from other countries in the region: Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
After the introduction, the participants took an exam to divide them into level 2 (23 qualified) and level 1. After three days of classes and work on the field, they all received their certification.
"This inaugural course is an effort by Softball Asia to raise the standard of the game," said Softball Asia Secretary General Sally Lim at the end of the seminar. "With this certification coaches now also have a uniform syllabus recognised by the WBSC and gives them an opportunity to attend further advanced courses."
Lim was joined by Andrea D'Auria (a member of WBSC Coach Commission), Yutaka Miyake (Chair of Softball Asia Coaching Commission and Japan Softball Vice President), Hirotaka Kadomatsu (Japan Softball Association), Subaru Takahashi (Nippon Sport Science University Head Coach) and Kyla Holas (University of Houston Athletics) as instructors for the seminar.
