Twenty Sri Lankan paddlers to be trained by ITTF

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has enrolled 20 Sri Lankan paddlers under its 'Hopes' program to train the future national TT players of the country. The program has focused the grass root level as it will cater for the under 12 age category. With the intention to improve their skills and progress to National and international level in the future,10 boys and 10 girls who have performed extremely well in last year's ranking tournaments were selected for the program.

Besides it has been decided to provide scholarships and opportunities for the participants to take part in International Coaching Camp and International Competitions. All 20 players will be entitled to participate in the ITTF Hopes International TT Championships in Vienna, Austrian which will be worked off in June. It will be a great opportunity for the young paddlers in Sri Lanka.

The selected 20 players have already started their practices at the Ambalangoda Fisheries Hall from April 18 under coach Chathura Dushan.

The head coach of ITTF Hopes program Dejan Papic will be in Sri Lanka on April 24 to train our players from April 25 to 29 at S Thomas Indoor Stadium Mt Lavinia. Dejan is a 49 years old Yugoslav who has been residing in Canada for the last 14 years. He is an experienced and a leading coach in the world.

Coach Dejan will select one girl and a boy who will be offered scholarships under the ITTF Hopes Program. This scholarship will entitle them for a Coaching program and to take part in International Hopes Table Tennis Championship in Vienna.

In the meantime Coach Dejan has requested from Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) to nominate the best six under-15 players to train together with the Under 12 players. According to Former TTSL General Secretary and Vice President Chandana Perera, "this is a very good opportunity for the Under 15 players to improve their skills under one of the world's best coaches. I am also trying to persuade Dejan to include one girl and a boy in under -15 category too for a similar scholarship," said Chandana.

A local Hopes tournament will be conducted from April 30 to May 1 at the Horana Indoor Stadium.

In addition to the 20 players Coach Dejan has requested TTASL to nominate another 10 players (five girls and five boys) for the local Hopes Championships. TTASL will organize daily workshops with Coach Dejan and with the coaches of the selected 20 players. The TTASL has requested all coaches to be present at the training venue daily.