Teachers help solidify table tennis’ DNSS effort

Forty-five teachers, who are either instructors of Physical Education or who are the lead persons of the sports programme in their schools, were last Wednesday and Thursday the recipients of exposure to the basics of table tennis.{{more}}

This when the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) and the Ministry of Education hosted a workshop for the teachers at the St Vincent Grammar School.

Conducted by Georg Silberschmidt of Switzerland, the participants were taught how to introduce the sport to beginners, with much of the emphasis on the physical facets.

Participants were also taken through the varying rudiments of the game, as they related to types of strokes, the varying types of games played and the aspects of scoring and judging.

Also during the second day, participants were treated to videos of competition among top players in the world. Of particular interest was a video showing a double arm amputee who played at world competition level holding the racquet under his chin. The workshop concluded with competitions among participants.

Reflecting on his experience, one participant Kesslon Wilson told SEARCHLIGHT: “I think the Ministry of Education and by extension, the Sports Department, made a bold statement of intent to place more emphasis on sporting activities in schools when they organized this table tennis workshop…. Interest in the sport was evident from the turnout, as 27 schools were invited, but the eventual participation surpassed 40 participants.

“Throughout the two-day workshop, interactive discussions were held held to develop and discover exercises to motivate pupils as prerequisites for the game and the creativity of the participating teachers was evident in the new, fun and exciting exercises that were created,” Wilson added.

Last week’s workshop formed an integral part of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association’s effort of Developing a National Sports Structure (DNSS).

The teachers now have a choice of moving on to become level one coaches, but must be first certified as club coaches.

The designed outcome of the efforts of the SVGTTA is that after one year, at least 1,000 young players would be actively involved in table tennis.(RT)