06 Jan 2017

The capital and largest city in the landlocked African country of Burundi, Bujumbura was the home for a recent ITTF/PTT Level One Coach Education Course followed by a Training Camp; proceedings began on Monday 5th December and concluded one week later on Monday 12th December.

Venue for the whole itinerary was the Turbo Hall, Sarah Hanffou of France was the course conductor.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Supported by the Foundation for Global Sports Development and organised under the auspices of the ITTF Development Programme, a total of 30 students, of whom four were female, attended; principally from the city but also some members travelled from the surrounding area.

Each day for the five day course was organised in two three hour sessions.

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A well used phrase but very true; every table is a table tennis table (Photo: courtesy of Sarah Hanffou)

Notably six participants had already passed the ITTF Level One course in 2007 or 2011 but wanted to participate in what was a refresher course. Togo’s Kaka Lawson had been the expert in 2007, in 2011 it was Switzerland’s George Silberschmidt.

All contributed to an excellent atmosphere with seven members meeting the ITTF/PTT Level One requirements.

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Enthusiastic students in Bujumbura (Photo: courtesy of Sarah Hanffou)

Immediately following the conclusion of the course, the training camp, which members of the national team attended, commenced.

Notably, Ping Sans Frontières for whom Sarah Hanffou is the President, with support from the International Table Tennis Federation presented bat rubber and sports clothing to the Burundian Table tennis Federation.

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Henri Bukumbanya, President of the Burundi Table Tennis Federation, was grateful for the equipment support (Photo: courtesy of Sarah Hanffou)

In addition, Sarah Hanffou had the opportunity to visit a new project launched in the Saint Kizito Insitute, an organisation for young disabled people.

“The Saint Kizito Institute deals with many problems related to physical handicaps. It also has a primary school and a department of physical rehabilitation. It was created in 1965, with a capacity of 157 young persons. The centre currently accommodates 236 pupils including 196 residents with disabilities”, Sarah Hanffou.

A handcrafted table will be given to the Institute and the Burundi Table Tennis Federation will organise training sessions for the children.

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Young people at the Saint Kizito Institute (Photo: courtesy of Sarah Hanffou)

 

High Performance and Development Sarah Hanffou