by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Representatives from four provinces, Pichincha, Azuay, Guayas and Carchi attended, the whole itinerary being conducted in the “Técnico Saleciano” college.

Itinerary

Two sessions, a total of six hours, were held each day, the first from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm; the second from 4.00pm to 6.30 pm. Notably, for certain sessions 20 local school children attended.

“The course was very interesting, we have all learned many things from Luisana, she had a wide range of knowledge”, explained Janeth Guadalupe Ledezma. “We learned about sport in general plus planning, first aid, education, nutrition and psychology as well as how to teach beginners.”

A welcoming address at the start of the course (Photo: courtesy of Luisana Perez)

Para Table Tennis

Furthermore the topic of Para Table Tennis was addressed, as always it created great interest.

“It’s not easy being a coach for players with disabilities, it is a vocation”, said  Betty Guamancela, the Latin American Masters Champion in 2011 in Argentina and coach in the province of Azuay.

“For me that was the most difficult but motivating”, she added. “I learned very important and new things; Table Tennis has changed a lot.”

Service practice was high on the agenda (Photo: courtesy of Luisana Perez)

Manual proved most valuable

A positive response, it was one that pleased Luisana Perez.

“All theoretical and practical classes witnessed one hundred per cent motivation; we used the ITTF Coaches Manual and highlighted the Breaking Down Barriers with Table Tennis Balls concept”, explained Luisana Perez. “We reinforced the scientific principles of sports training and hope in the near future to hold an ITTF Level Two Course.”

Additionally, Table Tennis X was on the menu; appropriately decorated tables were organised and fun was had by all.

Table Tennis X was enjoyed by all (Photo: courtesy of Luisana Perez)