by Ian Marshall, Editor
Pertinently, the expert on duty was Venezuela’s Luisana Perez, likewise on duty at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. In the capital city of Greece, partnering Fabiola Ramos in the Women’s Doubles the duo was not showered with great success; in Tegucilgalpa it was the very opposite, there was a deluge.
A red alert was issued by the Honduran National Government, owing to the heavy rains that had caused floods in Tegucigalpa following hurricanes that had hit the region; undaunted no less the 29 coaches braved the elements. Notably amongst the group seven women, two from Nicaragua, in particular impressed Luisana Perez.
“Following the “Breaking Barriers with Table Tennis Balls” concept, participants learned the main technical foundations of table tennis, in addition to the methodology that should be used in the teaching of skills: explain, demonstrate, practice, observe, correct and feedback.” Luisana Perez
The itinerary comprised a total of 30 hours, two sessions of three hours per day for five days, the programme involving both theory and practical sessions.
“It was a very committed group throughout the course and in each activity. The weather proved not to be an impediment. In the end, the coaches had to perform an evaluation practice to demonstrate what they learned in teaching conventional players as well as Para athletes.” Luisana Perez
A successful course, one person in particular being delighted; the very amiable and always welcoming Leonel Godoy, President of the Honduras Table Tennis Federation, he was most grateful for the efforts of Luisana Perez.
“We want to take advantage of the valuable human talent we have in order to spread table tennis throughout Honduras. Most of the participants on the course were university students following careers related to sport; this is very good because we plan to bring table tennis to schools. This course has left many lessons that we expect each coach to put into practise and work hand in hand with the Federation in the project of country wide growth.” Leonel Godoy
A successful Women’s Course completed late September in Costa Rica, now an equally profitable venture in Honduras but there is no rest for Luisana Perez. It is a journey to the other side of the world.
She travels to Japan to join the Latin American Team at the ITTF World Cadet Challenge; play starts in Tottori on Tuesday 23rd October.
