Thailand Makes Positive Stride to Make Dreams Come True
October 30, 2007

Concentration and application in Thailand Photo by: Richard McAfee

Courtesy of ITTF The aim is to develop table tennis; that is the dream of Nuttavuth Ruengves, Secretary General of the Thailand Table Tennis Association. He wants to make table tennis a major sport in his country and support is at hand. Enter Richard McAfee from the United States of America, the Tournament Director at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, a man with a wealth of experience.

He is in Thailand conducting an Olympic Solidarity Course under the auspices of the ITTF Development Program. The agenda is the ITTF Level One Coaches Course.

Matters commenced on Monday October 22, 2007 and will conclude on Sunday October 28, 2007.

A Step
It is one step in helping Nuttavuth Ruengves realize his dream and is one of many sports and cultural activities being held to celebrate the King’s eightieth birthday.

“Thirty-three high level coaches were selected for the course from over fifty applicants”, explained Richard McAfee. “Those chosen are all active coaches and include the current national team coaches.”

Splendid Venue
The course is being staged at the National Sports Center of Thailand, a venue with ideal conditions and housing resident programs for a number of sports.

Program
“Mr. Ruengves’s plan includes developing a comprehensive coach education and certification program which will take the ITTF Level One Course to each region of the country”, continued Richard McAfee. “The man chosen to lead this program is Don Mudtangam, a former national team member and a coach with much international experience.”

Don Mudtangam has accompanied the Thailand national team to many international events and has assisted Richard McAfee on previous visits to Thailand.

New Future
“The Thailand Table Tennis Association believes that by raising the level of training for its coaches, they will create a new future for the sport in Thailand”, added Richard McAfee. “They are making a serious financial commitment to make the President’s dream become a reality in the near future.”

Well as they say, “Dreams do come true”; for Thailand and Nuttavuth Ruengves may that saying be realized.

Sweet Dreams.

All smiles at a practice session; National Sports Center of Thailand.
Photo by: Richard McAfee