11/6/2009       

Tehran, the country’s capital city is very much leading the way in Iran when the subject in question is promoting table tennis for women.

Vice President of the Tehran Table Tennis Board is the tireless, Sima Limoochi, a lady who is at the forefront of creating a new era for the sport of table tennis in Iran.

Tehran is the largest province in the country with a population of 15 millions and has a new management structure for table tennis which was put in place in December 2008.

Calendar
“Iran has 30 provinces, and each province has its own Table Tennis Board”, explained Sima Limoochi. “The Table Tennis Federation of Iran has its own calendar which includes plans for educational programmes whilst every province’s TT Board has their own educational calendar.”

A sound structure is being established and also there is an air of co-operation.

“Once the calendars of the provinces have been planned, they are submitted to the National Table Tennis Federation for further action”, continued Sima Limoochi. “The Association will then nominate approved course conductors; all expenses for these courses should be paid by the Table Tennis Board of the provinces.”

Great Honour
However, it is Tehran that leads the way and Sima Limoochi is delighted to be involved in the progress that has been made.

“It was an honour that seven coaching and umpiring courses for women were administered successfully thanks to the efforts of a women’s working group who have worked tirelessly during the past month”, she explained. “The courses had been planned according to the needs of the capital city with regards to such people as school teachers, university coaches and instructors, physical education students and club coaches.”

Different System
More coaches but in Iran the notation is different from the norm.

“The order of levels for coaches and umpires in Iran is different from that of other countries”, explained Sima Limoochi. “Level Three as the basic level, Level Two is the secondary level and then Level One; next is National Level and finally International Level is the highest level.”

Tradition
Also, there is tradition that must be followed.

“In Iran women should observe Islamic dress code and appear in Islamic dress in public when men are present”, said Sima Limoochi. “Therefore, the course conductors for women should be by women, especially in practical coaching courses, where women are willing to feel comfortable with their clothes; of course, in some cases in theoretical courses, men conductors are allowed.”

Instructors
Detailed organization and therefore a successful course was the end result. The Level Three Umpires Course was conducted by Manijeh Abri, Level Two by Fatemeh Babaloo and Level One by Pari Marandi.

Meanwhile for the Coaches Courses the Level Three Course was led by Simin Rezaei and Mahnaz Rajabian, the Level Two by Fataneh Fazilat and the Level One by Sima Limoochi.

All instructors on the Umpires Course were International Umpires whilst Simin Rezaei, Mahnaz Rajabian and Fataneh Fazilat are national coaches with Sima Limoochi being an ITTF/PTT Course Conductor.

Forthcoming Courses
“The upcoming programmes for women in Tehran will include an Umpiring Workshop and a Psychological Workshop in partnership of Table Tennis Board of Tehran and the Physical Education Department of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and Physical Education College of Alzahra University”, said Sima Limoochi who was most grateful for the support received.

Vote of Thanks
“I would like to thanks all the participants, course conductors and the national table tennis federation”, concluded Sima Limoochi. “Also my colleague Elanz Ageen who gave me great assistance throughout the organization and administration of the seven courses that lasted 45 days.”

A tiring programme, an intensive programme and without doubt a very successful programme.

Members of Course in Iran