DOHA: The first phase of the AFC Pro-Diploma Coaching Course, conducted by the Qatar Football Association (QFA), has kicked off in Doha. The course will be held in three phases and concludes early next year. The first phase of the course will continue until September 30, while the second phase will be held from October 23 until November 14. The course will conclude with the third and final stage from December 15, 2021, to January 4, 2022, QFA said. 26 participants will participate in the course, including coaches associated with the QNB Stars League teams and the Second Division sides. Among those attending the course include Younis Ali, coach of Al Arabi, Mubarak Rashtieh, and former Qatar international Wisam Rizk. Fahad Thani Al-Zaraa, Director of the Development Department of QFA, headlined the opening ceremony along with Kari Joknin, the Finnish and European lecturer who will supervise the practical and theoretical debates, and Shamil Medal, the AFC assistant lecturer in the course. Fahd Thani welcomed the participants on behalf of QFA and thanked the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for supporting the high level of courses designed to develop the sport. He said Qatar is one of four Asian countries to organize such courses for professional trainers. Fahd Thani said: "Football is developed by elevating the minds and capabilities of coaches when they attend such training courses. A coach must be familiar with various basic sciences. A coach cannot succeed or continue - they must constantly update the information they get. Not a day goes by that a new coach does not learn from Football." He added: "The permanent development in the world of football always motivates us to update our information, and there is no better way than this high level of training course." He said: "The real progress is not by obtaining certificates, but by acquiring knowledge and raising the practical and theoretical levels with the latest theories and training sciences so that the coach stands on solid ground and can influence the work on the pitch. The development of the sport only comes with scientific methods through learning. And this gives a coach a qualitative leap in the way they deal with everyone." Fahd Thani concluded his speech by saying: "I am proud of Qatari and Arab trainers who are present here as students. Their desire to complete the mission of the Development Department of QFA by seeking knowledge in an ideal learning environment is a good sign." Kari Yoknin thanked QFA for the invitation to the course. He said he enjoyed the three days of course and felt welcomed. He said regardless of the team that a coach leads, he must be keen on developing himself all the time. "The educational environment in the Qatar Football Association and its development department is wonderful," he said. Retired Qatar international and Al Kharaitiyat coach last season, Rizk thanked everyone at the high level of the course. "This is a good opportunity for every participant to learn from the best," Rizq, a former Al Sadd player, said. "I must applaud QFA for hosting such courses as the game's development moves ahead at a sustained pace," he added. In its three phases, the course includes debates on the latest methods of training currently applied in Europe. The course also includes talks on the latest modifications and strategies employed by a team in offensive situations and how to deal with offensive playing methods. The course participants will also carry out field visits to clubs to follow their training and analyze their matches.