Ajmer Proves Perfect Home for Trilogy of Indian Development Courses

October 8, 2012

Courtesy of ITTF

Surrounded by the splendid picturesque setting of the Aravalli Mountains, Ajmer one of India’s most renowned and ancient cities was the home for an ITTF/PTT Level One Coach Education Course from Wednesday to Sunday November 3-7, 2012.

A very scenic start, the course is the first of three such programs being currently organized in India; which later in the year in December will host the Volkswagen World Junior Championships.

Organized in conjunction with the ITTF Development Program and the Table Tennis Federation of India, further courses are planned for Indore from Wednesday to Sunday October 10th to 14th and for Bangalore from Wednesday to Sunday October 17th to 21st.

Experienced Expert
The expert on duty is Richard McAfee, the Chair of the United States Table Tennis National Coaching Advisory Committee and one of the most experienced coaches involved with the ITTF Development Program.

Over 60 Indian Coaches are expected to attend the three courses.

Unique Partnership
"In an unique partnership between Tenvic, an Indian Sports Development Company, the Table Tennis Federation of India, and the International Table Tennis Federation, an extensive long-term coach’s development program is being launched across the country", explained Richard McAfee. "Tenvic is providing its organizational skills to arrange the ITTF Courses and has also created additional course materials that are geared specifically for Indian Coaches."

Major Contribution
Tenvic has made a major contribution to facilitating the courses.

"In addition Tenvic is providing a state of the art, coach’s website with various coaching materials and management tools for India’s coaches", added Richard McAfee, clearly delighted with the innovative approach being employed.

The Course
"Thirteen coaches took part in this first course which was held at the Moulchand Chowhan Indoor Stadium, the home of the local Table Tennis Academy", continued Richard McAfee. "This excellent venue features 12 tables with excellent playing conditions and a very large and well equipped classroom."

Ideal conditions were afforded for the course.

Experienced Group
"Most of the coaches attending the course are very experienced professional coaches, some with more than 20 years of coaching experience", added Richard McAfee. "Many travelled long distances, some up to 36 hours by train to take advantage of this first opportunity to attend an ITTF Course."

The effort was made and it was also made by the officials concerned.

Special Thanks
"Special recognition must be made of the contributions of Dhanraj Choudhary, Secretary-General of the Indian Table Tennis Federation and Atul Dubey the local coordinator for all their hard work, in making the course possible", concluded Richard McAfee. "Also my thanks to the Tenvic staff, Mr. Venky and Mr. Mohan Kumar for designing and coordinating this new program across India."

A new initiative and it would seem a very successful initiative.

Course members in Ajmer with Richard McAfee and Dhanraj Choudhary
Photo courtesy of Polona Cehovin Susin