Table Tennis: Koreans to train 24 Pakistan players
Table tennis preparations start for next year’s SAF Games.
KARACHI:
Two South Korean coaches will be coming to the country next week to train 24 local players in preparation for next year’s SAF Games, according to the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF).
According to PTTF Secretary Hafeezullah Kakar, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has approved a six-month long contract for the male and female coaches who will arrive ahead of a camp in Quetta.
“It’s a relief to have finally gotten a confirmation,” Kakar told The Express Tribune. “We were trying to get foreign coaches since last year but it only became possible after the PSB okayed the $1,000-per-month charges. It’s a step towards ensuring that we win medals in the Games as well as the Asian Junior Championship that takes place next month.”
According to Kakar, the PTTF had requested for a separate female coach since the women players were not comfortable with a male trainer and also because both sets of players required different types of adjustments.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan number three Yasir Bhatti, the move was ‘great news’, given the state of local coaches.
“It’s great news,” said Bhatti. “The Koreans are doing very well and although these coaches will not be world-class, they will still benefit us since the local coaches are out of ideas and strategies.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2012.
Two South Korean coaches will be coming to the country next week to train 24 local players in preparation for next year’s SAF Games, according to the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF).
According to PTTF Secretary Hafeezullah Kakar, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has approved a six-month long contract for the male and female coaches who will arrive ahead of a camp in Quetta.
“It’s a relief to have finally gotten a confirmation,” Kakar told The Express Tribune. “We were trying to get foreign coaches since last year but it only became possible after the PSB okayed the $1,000-per-month charges. It’s a step towards ensuring that we win medals in the Games as well as the Asian Junior Championship that takes place next month.”
According to Kakar, the PTTF had requested for a separate female coach since the women players were not comfortable with a male trainer and also because both sets of players required different types of adjustments.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan number three Yasir Bhatti, the move was ‘great news’, given the state of local coaches.
“It’s great news,” said Bhatti. “The Koreans are doing very well and although these coaches will not be world-class, they will still benefit us since the local coaches are out of ideas and strategies.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2012.