Int’l rep seeks to improve TT table tennis

Latin America Development Officer for the International Table Tennis Federation Ramon Ortega Montes, is currently in Trinidad for a six-day training course in an effort to help Trinidad and Tobago compete on the world stage.

Speaking to the media at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua on Thursday, Montes said he is here for a level two coaching course.

Montes, who is from Spain, said, “What we are going to do is run a level two coaching course. We have four different levels in ITTF and this is the one that will take the country from level one.”

Montes said the goal is to develop athletes in this region that can compete for world titles. “We teach all techniques for players to be able to become world champions. This second level is key because level one is more general, but in level two we plan to do good things and teach the players to become world champions.”

Montes wants this region of the world to be developed in the coming years so more table tennis stars will be produced. “The idea is to have one or two high performance centres in two continents that are not Europe nor Asia, but that is under contruction. The idea is to have people from this country and other countries being able to fight at the world level.”

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith said it is important to focus on the local coaches rather than just the athletes.

Smith said, “He is here to work with our coaches. It is not just about our athletes, but we are working to ensure that our coaches are also well trained. As I said before the judges, the referees and the umpires (must make use of the facility).”