KUWAIT CITY, March 29: Never has any expatriate sports organization achieved so much in such a little time as the Indian Badminton Association in Kuwait (IBAK) which, after being launched only a year ago, inaugurated their first coaching camp at the Saad Al Awzi School, Salwa, on Sunday, March 27.
The IBAK coaching camp, which is being called Coaching Module 1, was opened after a grand inauguration ceremony by Principal of the Saad Al Awzi School Saeed Khalaf Al Farhan who has been offering IBAK a lot of support in every way that he can to ensure the success of the event.The IBAK officials say that without Al Farhan’s support the event could not have been a grand success.
So far, the organizers say, 80 students have registered for the training camp but they are expecting many more trainees as the camp, which is scheduled to run until May, progresses. The initial focus of the training camp is focused on children between 8 to 18 years with training plans for adults in the works.

The main coaching team comprises of Sibi Varkey (Secretary -coaching), Suni Moorkanat (Assistant Director - coaching) and Shyam Sadwani (chief coach).
The other coaching members are Dr Manimara Chozan - Director Coaching, Vijay Shirhatti - Moderator of the Module and Ravi Bharathpudi - Resident Coach.
IBAK has done something which is a “first” for any organization in the country. They have arranged for the trainees to be handled by a foreign coach - Abraham Kuriakose, who is known to everyone as Roy.
The coaching sessions are being held every week, Saturday to Thursday from 1700 to 1900 hours with IBAK providing free transport to the children who have been drawn from various parts of the country.
This coaching camp, or module as IBAK’s office-bearers - led by their president Dr Manimara Chozhan - call it, is a continuation of the organization’s efforts to make IBAK one of the premier badminton organizations in Kuwait.

The efforts are so organized and all the events running like a well-oiled machine that one has to again look at the history of the organization and it’s office-bearers who are making all this possible in an effort to make IBAK the best sports and social organization in the country.
While the coaching camp will be held throughout the week, the regular tournaments will continue to be held with the next tournament planned after IBAK has celebrated it’s first anniversary in mid-April. After that the tournament will run for a few weeks and will be followed one after the other throughout the year to give all the members top-level competition to hone their skills.
It has not been a whole year since it was formally registered on April 14th 2010 although it was formally launched on April 16 at the Qadsiya Sports Complex. IBAK officials consider April 14 as their establishment date. Chozhan and his dedicated group of office-bearers worked really hard to set up a permanent home (at the same school) - which they achieved recently — for the organization while continuing to arrange quality tournaments for all the IBAK members who have now crossed the 600 mark with nearly 250 of them active.
With the permanent home set up, IBAK turned its attention to other things, like arranging top-class coaching and having practice sessions throughout the week while keeping all the players on their toes through well-organized tournaments. The organization, with a lot of support from the Indian Embassy, has moved fast and all the office-bearers need to be commended for the excellent work that they have done.

The following are the IBAK office-bearers:
President - Dr Manimara Chozhan
General Secretary - Thomas Moolayil
Sibi Varkey - Secretary Coaching
Aun Foizen - Secretary Sports
Soraiya Fooizen - Secretary Ladies Wing
Gopalakrishnan - Secretary Web Affairs
Mohammad Sirajudeen - Secretary Membership
Mohammad Arief - Secretary Event Management
Jimmy Jose Aricatt - Secretary Public Relations
Faheem Contractor - Secretary Media
Chandramouli - Secretary Courts
Jayaprakash - Secretary Fine Arts
Prasad Thadachery - Secretary Logistics
Dr Vijay Shirhatti - Secretary Critical Review
Priya Ullas - Executive Associate Ladies Wing
Antony Marshal - Junior Secretary
Srinivas Shreedhara - Junior Secretary Event Management
Sarosh Daruwala - Junior Secretary Media
Noor Kalmatta - Junior Secretary Courts
The program of the training is as follows:
Practical Sessions
These sessions involve physical and mental conditioning
Theory Sessions
These sessions lay a lot of stress on A-V discussions, interactive assessments and evaluations
Scholarship
One eligible person every year (recommended by the module committee and approved by the IBAK executive committee) will be sent for a week’s overseas training under renowned coaches abroad.
All expenses for the same will be borne by IBAK. Other conditions at a certain point may apply. (eg: commitment from the trainee that he/she will share and assist in the future training programs of IBAK and development of other IBAK trainees).

Competitions
If the module committee feels that the standard of the trainees is competitive enough, under the patronage of IBAK, it will assist them participate in home, international competitions (Kuwait, India & other countries).

Module Structure
The module involves two term sessions in a year (summer and winter) taking into account exams, vacations and other important things that may arise at a certain point.
Transport is being provided to those who opt for it at no extra cost.
While the fees structure has been laid down, it may be subject to change taking into consideration operational costs and other incident expenses that may arise in the future.
The organizers add that if the circumstances permit, interested adults may also be considered for coaching. No transportation will be provided for such “adult” trainees.
IBAK member children will have continuous coaching from interested IBAK senior members who have volunteered and who are available for the same.
The organizers have also arranged for overseas coaches who will be for a maximum of two months each term depending on their availability with their expenses being borne by IBAK.

The proposed fee structure for the coaching is as follows:
1. Children (8-18years):
a. IBAK members or their children: KD 15/ pm discounted to KD 40/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
b. Non-IBAK members/Children: KD 20 per month discounted to KD 55/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
2. Adults (IBAK members):
a. Premium member: KD 15/ pm discounted to KD 40/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
b. Premium member registering two/more children for coaching: KD 10/-pm discounted to KD 25/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
c. Premium member registering
1-child for the coaching: KD 12/- pm discounted to KD 30/- If paid upfront for 3-months.
d. Non IBAK members who have enrolled their children: Shall be considered depending on availability of slots at KD 15/- pm discounted to KD 40/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
e. Non-members: Shall be considered depending on availability of slots at KD 20/- pm discounted to KD 55/- if paid upfront for 3-months.
For further details, the following can be contacted:
Sec Coaching - Sibi 97502673, sibiavara@yahoo.co.in; Gen Secretary - Thomas Moolayil 99340974, musichearts@rediffmail.com; President - Dr Mani 97626463, ibakchozhan@gmail.com