November 26, 2008
Small in Area, Big at Heart, El Salvador Sets the Tone
 Maximum concentration on ITTF/PTT Course Photo By: Carlos Esnard |
Courtesy of ITTF Small in stature but with a big heart, El Salvador is progressive and is currently hosting an ITTF/PTT Level One Coaches Course under the direction of Cuba’s Evelio Alvarez, the Latin American Table Tennis Union’s Development Officer. |
The course commenced on Monday November 24th and will conclude on Sunday November 30, 2008.
Ideal Situation
In many respects the situation for table tennis in El Salvador is quite idyllic.
Melecio Rivera is the President of the El Salvador Table Tennis Federation and the President of the Latin American Table Tennis Union; while Carlos Esnard, the Latin American Table Union’s Technical Director, is resident in the small Central American country and most active in promoting the country’s table tennis fortunes.
Location
Furthermore, they have a situation with regards to location that is the envy of many a larger country; nowhere is too far to travel and the situation of their premises is as near perfection as possible.
The training center, the administration area and an arena, which hosts the now annual ITTF Junior Circuit event are all inter-linked in the same building, while in the same complex, less that a cricket wicket away are the offices of the National Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry.
Close Link
Undoubtedly, the link between National Olympic Committee and the National Table Tennis Federation is incredibly close and this seems to be a feature of life in Latin American countries.
It is the same in countries like Ecuador and Honduras.
Perhaps it is a lesson for others to follow.
Players Present
The course has attracted several players; notably Estefania Ramirios and Karla Perez both members of the current national team plus former internationals, Ren é Escobar, and Ricardo Sosa.
Also, the whole country is involved with coaches from San Miguel, Zacatecoluca, Santa Ana, La Paz, Santa Tecla, City Maple, in addition to important institutions like the University of El Salvador, the Fundación Salvador del Mundo (FUSALMO) and the Fundación Teletón Pro rehabilitación (FUNTER) all being represented.
FUSALMO and FUNTER are both organizations which help provide sporting opportunities for young people.
Looking Ahead
A successful course in progress and eyes on the future.
“Meetings will take place on 28th and 29th of November in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador to formulate a plan for 2009-2012”, explained Carlos Esnard. “Melecio Rivera, Evelio Alvarez and Carlos Esnard plus Fernando Aguilar, the Director of the Rules Committee, Leonel Aguilar, the Secretary General and Luis Salazar, the Treasure will all be present.”
Positive Atmosphere
A positive move and certainly there is a positive atmosphere in the whole of Latin America; there is a desire for progress and with that in mind more courses under the umbrella of the ITTF development Program and the Latin American Table Union’s Development Program are planned.
No Rest
Exciting times lay ahead; as for Evelio Alvarez and Glenn Tepper, the ITTF Director of Development Programs, there’s no time to rest but they would not want it any other way.
Would they?
Plenty of action at the National Training Center in San Salvador.
Photo By: Carlos Esnard
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