175 students benefit from Table Tennis Coaching Programme in Bartica
175 students have benefited from a Developmental Table Tennis Coaching Programme for primary and secondary schools conducted in Bartica, Region Seven, by the National Sports Commission, a department of the Ministry of Education.
The sessions, conducted by National Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson, were for students between the age of 6 and 18 years old. Johnson was assisted by teacher Timothy Cornelius, who participated in a 12-hour table tennis workshop in 2016.
Activities, held at the Bartica Community Centre, began on Monday, May 29, and ended on Friday, June 2. Schools that participated were: St John the Baptist Primary, St Anthony’s Primary, Two Miles Primary, Holy Name Primary, Agatash Primary and Bartica Secondary. Each school was allowed to send 24 pupils (12 boys and 12 girls), and was entitled to one three-hour session.
Some of the pupils practising a training technique using balloons
The aims and objectives of the programme were as follows: To develop and improve the level of table tennis in Bartica; help students with the basic skills of table tennis; help students to be better prepared for tournaments; train a nucleus of students to prepare for CXC exams; increase by 25% the number of participants involved in table tennis in Region #7; identify players for future training; create an integrated coaching programme that incorporates the coaches’ education and players’ development; and motivate and encourage schools and players to join forces and work in partnership.
The participation was overwhelming, with lots of talent spotted. Follow-up visits will be undertaken throughout the year. An inter-primary school tournament is slated for next term.
