by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Recently, thanks to the support of Olympic Solidarity and in co-ordination with World Table Tennis Day, Japan’s Isao Nakandarake crossed the bridge. He travelled to Buenos Aires.

He visited two Japanese clubs and two state organised schools in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, the schools being close to the venue for the table tennis events at the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games.

Additionally he visited the Centre for Cultural and Sporting Events, before travelling to a school in the Province of Misiones, some 1,000 kilometres from the city, where he was able to hold discussion with Rafa Morgenstern, the region’s Sports Minister.

“Olympic values and table tennis basics are currently being taught to 235 Argentine children and young people. They are highly motivated to visit the Games in October and have the chance to meet some of our elite players!” Isao Nakandarake

During his visit to Argentina, in addition to holding discussions with Rafa Morgenstern; Isao Nakandarake held meetings with distinguished local officials. Notably he met Noriteru Fukushima, the Japanese Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Nestor Tenca, ITTF Executive Vice President and Gustavo Levisman, Argentine National Coach.

A busy schedule for Isao Nakandarake; it was also a busy time for the Argentina Table Tennis Federation; a total of 19 events were staged in the country on World Table Tennis Day; it was also the day Isao Nakandarake departed the country.