Table tennis to get reset at grassroots

The Table Tennis grassroots’ programme launched in January of this year will be revamped.

Revelation of the reset has come from committee member, technical advisor and the point man for tournaments of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association, Orville Haslam.{{more}}

Frank in his assessment of the programme, Haslam told SEARCHLIGHT recently, “When it first started, it was started on the wrong footing… It was done too hurriedly.”

Haslam noted that the initial effort lacked proper promotion and was not deeply rooted with parental involvement and the likes.

Set for a restart in late August, Haslam ordered, “Let us have it in an orderly fashion… table tennis is a game that you can’t just have people playing at 14 and 12, they will get bored; You have to find some hoola hoop, balloons and other things to interest them.”

Haslam, a Jamaican by birth, who played table tennis extensively in Europe during the 1960’s and 1970’s, said his experience in these parts show that players depart from the sport at age 17 and 18, because of a lack of other facets to keep their interest going.

When the programme was launched, the West St George and Georgetown Secondary Schools, the Brighton Methodist School, along with the AVESCO Sports Club house in Arnos Vale, were the venues identified.

Additionally, the cadre of level one coaches were expected to put in thirty hours in the programme, to aid their certification. However, Haslam reiterated that the setup will get a relook and a rethink.

Haslam referred to the development plan which he fashioned for the SVGTTA for the period 2014 to 2016, which he said is the pillar by which the new approaches in table tennis must be guided.

According to the plan, “Long term Athlete Development is an athlete centered model of an integrated sports system where the requirements of the player, dependent on their biological age are met by providing the right coaching at the right time. It is an approach that outlines the appropriate training, competition and recovery programme at each stage. It is also an approach that focuses on maximizing player development.”

The executive of the SVGTTA elected in May 2013, for a four year term is headed by Tyrone Jack. The vice president is Rudi Daniel; secretary- Andrew Lockhart with Marlon Gibson- treasurer. Jabarri Jack serves as assistant secretary/treasurer and Sean Stanley – the public relations officer. Haslam, along with Kamal Hunte and Unica Velox, are the committee members.(RT)