The winners at the Rotary Club tournament in St Maarten |
11/5/2009
Argentina’s Leandro Olvech, the ITTF Co-ordinator of Development Programmes conducted a highly successful ITTF/PTT Level One Course from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd October 2009 in the Netherlands Antilles.
The course, held under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity and the ITTF Development Programme, lasted five days and was clearly enjoyed by all and has proved the source of motivation; most certainly the effects have been realised sooner than expected.
Certainly Rignald Eugenio who attended the course has most certainly been motivated.
Small Island
He is from St Maarten, a small island in the Netherlands Antilles measuring 100 square kilometres and with a population of on 74,000 inhabitants, less than a tower block in Shanghai, São Paulo or Mexico City.
Recently he used the knowledge gained to help the Rotary Club in St. Maarten organise a youth tournament, an event which was first held in 2008.
Wider Catchment Area
“Last year it was only for the students of table tennis coach Franklin
Radjouki; this year we sent letters to all primary and secondary schools, inviting
their best top players to take part in the tournament”, explained Rignald Eugenio. “A total of thirty children including all four secondary schools and seven primary schools signed up for the tournament.”
It was a pleasing number and more motivation for Rignald Eugenio.
Four Events
“Fourteen girls and sixteen boys, the youngest player was six and the oldest 14 years, took part”, continued Rignald Eugenio. “The tournament was held in the Great Bay Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg with four competitions being staged.”
The competitions comprised Boys’ and Girls’ Singles event for primary school children and the same for secondary school children.
Siblings Duel
“Play started at 10.00am with matches being best of three games, the semi-finals were best of five games and the finals, best of seven”, explained Rignald Eugenio. “The most exciting game was the one between six year old Josiah Pantophlet and his 11 year old brother Rory of the St. Peters Hilside Christian Schools; Josiah lost three-nil but only lost the last game 11-13; he finished in tears and laughter.”
Tears and laughter?
Mixed Emotions
“Crying because he didn't wanted to lose and at the same time he was laughing when his brother couldn't return his smashes”, smiled Rignald Eugenio. “Rory became the primary school champion brushing aside Valentine van Putten from Dr. Martin Luther King School four-nil in the final.”
Winners
Gold for Rory Pantophlet, whilst in the primary school age group girls’ category, the victor was Lissandra Fleming. She beat Tenia Arrindell in seven games in the final; two girls who started to play table tennis in the month of June of this year.
New faces but that was not the case in the secondary schools division, where the defending champions Alfredo Richardson and Sharnel Neale retained their titles.
Social Importance
“St. Maarten has only one dedicated table tennis coach, Franklin
Radjouki but about two weeks ago four people attended the ITTF Level One
Coaches Course, which was held in Curaçao under guidance Leandro Olvech and it is their intention to introduce the table tennis in other districts”, said Rignald Eugenio. “By doing this they will promote the sport and at the same time alleviate poverty and help fight the raising crime rate among the youth in St. Maarten.”
If a meaningful activity for the youth in the area can be organised then table tennis has fulfilled and will fulfil an important role.
Para Table Tennis
Also, Para Table Tennis has not been forgotten.
Debra Warner recently returned from Curaçao and has been approached by the sports department to coach table tennis to disabled athletes so that next year they can compete in a tournament in Puerto Rico.
Labours Rewarded
A very comprehensive programme is now being put into place in the Netherlands Antilles, the fruits of Leandro Olvech’s labours are being rewarded.
Finalists at the Rotary Club tournament in St Maarten
Photo by Rignald Eugenio
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