by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Therefore, it is necessary to prepare table tennis match officials for both events; therefore administered by the Indonesian Games Organising Committees in conjunction with the Table Tennis Association of Indonesia and the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee, an ITTF Basic Umpires Course is being staged.

Staged in Jakarta, proceedings commenced on Tuesday 26th June under the direction of Malaysia’s Cyril Sen.

“The course is well organised and the training facility in the Swiss-Belinn Kemayoran, which is located fairly close to the Games Athletes’ Village where the participants are staying, is good with meals and refreshments included in the package.” Cyril Sen

A total of 28 umpires are in attendance, course members having travelled from throughout the country; notably only six are from Jakarta.

“It is good to note that four of the participants are ladies and that the majority of the participants are young; this augurs well for table tennis in Indonesia and it is hoped that in the coming years, Indonesia will one day have its own Blue Badge umpires. This will hopefully be one of the legacies of these Games.” Cyril Sen

Matters conclude on Thursday 28th June.

An attentive class in Jakarta (Photo: courtesy of Cyril Sen)