08 Feb 2017

Working alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Table Tennis Federation proposes to host the first Athlete Career Programme (ACP) workshop on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th February at the Seamaster 2027 ITTF World Tour Indian Open.

The Workshop aims at providing resources and training for athletes enabling them to develop their life skills and maximize their education and employment opportunities. The IOC ACP helps elite and Olympic athletes successfully manage the difficult transition from sport to a new career through professional development.

by Daniela Gomes, the ITTF Development, Education and Training Projects Officer

Vladimir Samsonov and Zoran Primorac attended the International Olympic Committee Train the Trainer Event, staged in Lausanne on Wednesday 31st May and Thursday 1st June 2016 in Lausanne, Switzerland, where they had the opportunity to become qualified to deliver the ACP Outreach Programme.

Importantly, the component of the programme, followed by the two players provides information and practical skills to athletes directly through in person training.

In India, it will be delivered for the very first time at an ITTF event, by Vladimir Samsonov, Chair of the ITTF Athletes Commission and Claudia Bokel, former Chair of the IOC Athletes Commission and fencing silver medallist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in the Épée category.

In order to reinforce the Olympic movement commitment towards athletes an additional project, the Athlete Career Transition Programme, has recently been launched by Olympic Solidarity and offers financial and technical assistance to athletes through the National Olympic Committees. The IOC/ITTF Trainers’ Team is looking forward to best support and engage table tennis players in the areas of education, life skills and employment.

It is a unique opportunity for elite table tennis players to become familiar with the programme. All those attending the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Indian Open, in New Delhi, are encouraged to register.

Vladimir Samsonov will address the group in New Delhi (Photo: Rémy Gros)

Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Indian Open: Athlete Career Programme (ACP) Workshop – Registration

ITTF Development, Education and Training: Olympic Solidarity course and initiatives

High Performance and Development Athletes Vladimir Samsonov Zoran Primorac