by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

A total of 21 students representing ten of the country’s departments alongside a further two members from Peru attended; venue for the whole schedule was the National Training Centre located in Guatemala City.

The aim of the course was to provide the basic knowledge to enable those in attendance start coaching and thus in the first instance increase the number of players in the region; a situation from which excellence can accrue.

“Sharing this type of experience is always very pleasing and interesting as each day we learn from each other. Involving some high level athletes in Guatemala, coaches from our country and from Peru was very rewarding. We were able help coaches start on the path for teaching our sport.” Byron Ventura

All responded to the efforts of Byron Ventura, who in recent years has made every effort to promote the sport of table tennis in the small Central American country.

“It is of the utmost importance that through the possibilities offered by the International Federation and the support of the Guatemala Table Tennis Federation that we follow the path of constant training so that every day we improve teaching standards.” Byron Ventura

Now the students must complete 30 hours of coaching, of which five must be supervised in order to receive the ITTF Level One Coaches award.