ITTF man conducts course in Nairobi

 By JONAH ONYANGO

SPORTS STRINGER

International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) instructor Leandro Olvech is upbeat that the weeklong Level 1 Coaching Course in Nairobi will impart some valuable technical experience to Kenyans.

The Course, incorporating Paralympics table tennis and able-bodied participants has been ongoing at the YMCA Hall in Shauri Moyo since Sunday.

A total of 40 participants are currently taking part in the event, according to Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) Secretary General Andrew Mudibo.

Olvech has had a comprehensive drill on the generic coaching principles, skill development as well as techniques beyond basics which include ready position, forehand drive, backhand drive, topspins and smashes.

According to Olvech, all sections of the course should be done ‘on the tables’ in a practical sense, so that coaches have a feel of the material based on the saying ‘to here is to forget, to see is to remember and to do is to understand.’

Olvech visited the National Olympic Committee (NOCK) secretariat where he held talks with NOCK boss, Dr Kipchoge Keino and secretary FK Paul.

Dr Keino said NOCK will rkeep supporting development programmes within their affiliate federations.

"This is the reason why we have been advocating for good governance, hard work and transparency as has been demonstrated by the KTTA," said Keino.

who lauded the ITTF initiative.

Mudibo, on his part, was enthusiastic that in the wake of the course, many technical officials will have grasped some valuable tactics as far as intricacies of the game are concerned. "We are hopping that all participants will be in a position to pass on the knowledge gain from the course to the grassroots," said Mudibo.

The course has drawn its participants from all parts of the country with ITTF providing Level 1 certification upon completion of the exercise.