Solomon Islands hosts para-table tennis coaches course

Nineteen students attended the course meant to help further opportunities for people with disabilities. 26 Jul 2015

The Solomon Islands was the home for a recent International Table Tennis Federation/ Para-Table Tennis (ITTF/PTT) Level One Coaches Course and Training Camp.

ⒸITTF

By International Table Tennis Federation

The Solomon Islands, located on the South Pacific Ocean north east of Australia, was the home for a recent International Table Tennis Federation/ Para-Table Tennis (ITTF/PTT) Level One Coaches Course and Training Camp.

The aim was to further opportunities for people with an impairment. Over the eight days (held 15-22 June), the first five were devoted to the course and the last three for the training camp. A total of 19 students attended; three who had an impairment.

Organised by the ITTF Development Programme and in conjunction with the Oceania Table Tennis Federation, the course (held 15-22 June) was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Solomon Island Table Tennis Federation and the National Paralympic Committee.

The focus was centred on the 2015 Pacific Games, which was held 4-18 July in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

“This programme was part of the preparation for the Para-Table Tennis Team for the 2015 Pacific Games, and it was truly a worthwhile opportunity to have this course conducted,” said Secretary General of Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee Elwin Taloimatakwa.

Table Tennis Australia’s Oceania Para Development Officer Christian Holtz said:

“The course brought together members from various disability and government organisations. It brought together organisations such as the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee, the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands, the Youth, Sports and Women Division of the Honiara City Council and the Community Based Rehabilitation Unit of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.”

The next step is to meet all the requirements of the course by completing the ensuing practical coaching time to become internationally recognised table tennis coaches.

“Thank you ITTF-Oceania for this course, because I am now going to teach the new generation of able-boded and para-athletes,” para-athlete and course participant Naka Kobeariki said.