by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa Press Officer

It was an opportunity for the coaches to increase their knowledge, up-to-date techniques were explained with the use of multi-ball high on the agenda; for the players it was a major opportunity to improve their skills and try new ideas.

“The project involved Djibouti national players of different ages. The main areas of attention in the daily training included the improvement of service and return as well as the introduction of irregular playing patterns. Also, the implementation of new stroke techniques was highlighted.” Mahamoud Oumar Omir

Most importantly, in addition to training, rackets and 500 balls were donated by the German Foreign Office.

A most grateful Mahamoud Oumar Omir explained that to ensure the momentum is sustained, efforts would be made to popularise table tennis in Djibouti across all regions. The intention in the near future is to increase the number of active players to 500. He added that social media would also be deployed to promote the very best interests of the sport.

Notably, the visitors also promised to continue to partner the Djibouti Table Tennis Federation in raising the profile of table tennis in the Eastern African nation.

The Djibouti Table Tennis Federation is one on the newer members of the International Table Tennis Federation; the organisation was accepted officially at the Annual General Meeting staged in 2005 in the Chinese city of Shanghai.