by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Under the guidance of Peyman Abolhassani, the Head of the Research and Education Committee of the Table Tennis Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ITTF/PTT Level One Courses have been held in various parts of the country.

Last October was a particularly busy month; Peyman Abolhassani was on duty in Shiraz in the south west of the country whilst, the previous week, from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th October, Kazem Mostahaghi, formerly Iran’s head coach and technical consultant, was at the helm in Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province in the north west of the nation.

Just as in Shiraz, a splendid venue was afforded in Mashhad; in addition to premises for theory classes, eight table tennis tables were available for the practical sessions as well as such support facilities as a gymnasium, body building exercise machines and a sauna being located in the same campus.

Overall, a total of 30 students attended, all were most knowledgeable; notably all were undergraduates of whom seven were doctors.