MoE/ NSC Development Table Tennis Programme
240 students benefited as the Ministry of Education- National Sports Commission conducted a Developmental Table Tennis Coaching Programme for primary schools in Region Three, Essequibo Island West Demerara.
The sessions, which were conducted by National Table Tennis Coach, Linden Johnson, were for students between the age of 6 and 11 years old. Johnson was assisted by teachers who participated in a 12 hours’ table tennis work shop in 2016.
The activity which commenced on Monday, May 08 ended on Friday May 12, 2017 and involved primary schools from Blankenburg, Vreed-en-Hoop, Den Amstel, Malgre Tout, Cornelia Ida, Meten Meer Zorg, Stewartville, Parika Salem, Uitvlugt and Saraswat.
The sessions were held at the Uitvlugt Community Center Complex. Each school was allowed to send 24 pupils (12 boys and 12 girls) and were entitled to one session at one and a half (1 ½) hours per session.
The aims and objectives of the programme were To develop and improve the level of table tennis in schools; To help students with the basic skills of table tennis; To help students to be better prepared for future tournaments; To train a nucleus of students in preparation for Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC); To increase the number of participants involved in table tennis by 25%, in Region three; To identify players for future tournaments; To create an integrated coaching programme that incorporates the coach education and players’ development and motivate and encourage schools and players to join forces and work in partnership.
Three sessions were conducted between 09:30h –14:30h daily.
According to Johnson 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.
