ITTF/GTTA Level One Coaches’ Course concludes

Aug 14, 2008 Sports

–Gabaglio challenges new coaches to work

By Edison Jefford
“It all depends on you–you must do the hard work. If you do not do the work you cannot reach the next level.”

That was an admonition from Argentinean International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Coach Instructor, Alejandra Gabaglio yesterday to participants of a Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Level One Coaches’ Course.

The occasion was the conclusion of the rigorous ITTF facilitated GTTA three–day course that attracted participants from as far as Bartica, Linden and New Amsterdam at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last evening.

Gabaglio said that she was elated to be here to conduct the course while outlining the process of certification for ITTF Level One Coaches.

According to the Coaches’ Instructor, the newly–trained coaches must now complete 30 hours of practical coaching work and five hours of a supervised table tennis presentation before they are accredited with certificates.

She appointed National Coach, Linden Johnson and GTTA General Secretary, Godfrey Munroe as supervisors for the coaches. Johnson and Munroe must submit a confidential report to the ITTF before certificates are issued.

Munroe told the participants that he is confident that the instruction they received will go a far way in the development of the sport locally. “You are pioneers in this programme and the GTTA look forward to your support,” Munroe said.

The GTTA General Secretary said that while he anticipates the promotion of the coaches to Level Two, Guyana is still in need of more Level One coaches, which makes that level the most important one for the association.

“I know you have learnt a lot and we are grateful to the ITTF. We will make the request to have the Level Two course but we still need more Level One coaches here,” Munroe told the more than 15 participants.

National Director of Sport, Neil Kumar supported Munroe’s view of the gesture as a developmental tool for the sport in Guyana. Kumar said that it is imperative that the GTTA continue to train coaches.

“I think it is important to train people. I hope you would go back now and spread the development of the game,” Kumar challenged, adding that the Chinese Table Tennis coach, attached to the ministry, will assist in that regard.

One of the participants, Ray ‘Copta’ Anderson from Linden thanked his fellow coaches for participating in the course. He said that all of them were overwhelmed by Gabaglio level of instruction and teaching.