Iran hosts table tennis women’s course

“I feel so happy about the valuable achievement of this course and appreciate the active participation of the Iranian women coaches.”

Sima Limoochi, one of Iran’s leading women’s voices in table tennis, headed a coaching course that saw more than 30 attendees.

The International Table Tennis Federation/Para-Table Tennis (ITTF/PTT) Level One Coaches Course for Women was staged from 30 May – 3 June at the Table Tennis Academy in Tehran.

Two ITTF Level One courses and three ITTF/PTT Level One courses had been held in Iran before, but this is the first time it was hosted by the National Table Tennis Federation of Iran and supported by the ITTF, Limoochi said.

“I feel so happy about the valuable achievement of this course and appreciate the active participation of the Iranian women coaches,” Limoochi said. “I believe that physical education and sport are important means of education for human beings, such courses are good examples for education, development, friendship and peace in the world.”

The course included discussions about coaches’ responsibilities, techniques, tactics, sports science and the philosophy of education.

This year’s course was also the first time it was conducted using the Persian version of the ITTF/PTT Level One Manual .

“On the last day we covered para-table tennis issues, creating an interesting atmosphere that filled all participants with energy and joy,” Limoochi said. “This section of the manual supports and encourages the idea of inclusion in the society; it is of high importance for the coaches when helping people with a disability.”

Ms. Shahrian, Iran’s Deputy of Minister of Sport and Youth, visited the course, as well as members of the Table Tennis Federation of Iran.