IN what is seen as a big step in local table tennis development, the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) yesterday began one of two coaches training and certification courses at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. 

Both coaching sessions are being conducted by well versed table tennis instructor, and ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Latin American Development Officer, Ramon Ortega Montes.
The first course, an ITTF Level one coaching course which began yesterday, will run for four days ending August 19, while the second, an ITTF Level two coaching program will immediately follow, running from August 21 – 26.
Beginning work with the level one trainee early yesterday morning, an enthusiastic Montes shared that he will be looking to change the mindset of the participants so they can come to understand that the focus needs to be on the players they train.
“The idea is to teach them how to teach… to let them think as coaches, because many times most of them who were players, or still are players, they think as players so they will teach what someone taught them, so the more difficult thing is to change this way and to try two things; first to let them think as a coach, thinking only of the player and not of themselves, and second try to teach very good technique from the beginning.” Montes said.
For Montes, who hails from Spain, his main objective is to ensure that by the end of the session, those receiving their certificates are categorically competent in the skills necessary to be a level one ITTF certified coach.
Certified as an ITTF Trainer since 2008, Montes comes highly recommended, with experience of conducting training programs in several countries within the Caribbean region.
“He’s very recommended, indeed that’s a very good plus for us working with him. The certification programs are becoming rigorous so it’s not just you come a couple of days and you be certified, you have to develop and show competence that you can actually do the drills, coach persons, work with groups, demonstrate techniques and all those technical and tactical aspects,so we’re very happy to have him.” Godfrey Munroe, president of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) remarked yesterday.
Munroe further noted that the development of the table tennis coaches across Guyana will not only player a central role in the development of the players, but in the decentralization of the sport as well, with a number of persons outside of Georgetown taking part in the event.
“We’re paying keen attention to coaching because coaching is the key pillar on which our development thrust lies. It lends to the institutional strength, so we see this as a very critical move that we are making.
The coach has to mould the mind, has to develop the players. Especially, we’re trying to pay more attention [to coaching] as we try to decentralise, some of the participants we’ve got are from Linden, Corriverton, we have from as far as Bartica, Region 3 as well as Georgetown.” Munroe remarked.
Additionally, Munroe took the opportunity to point out the coaching courses were only the beginning of a number of developmental collaborations that the Association is hoping to have with the ITTF, and other local sporting stakeholders to develop table tennis in Guyana
“We’ve been engaged in some of the other developmental aspects, which we’ve discussed with the Minister, and Director of Sport, and the Guyana Olympic Association in terms of what avenues and what kind of opportunities the ITTF has for other developing countries such as Guyana.
One of the key things that we’ve outlined is that the ITTF has free footage for television that they’re willing to provide to TV stations so that if they have a spot they could share it.” Munroe revealed.

(By Tamica Garnett)