Eyes focused on 2009, Colombia takes an official course of action

Putting theory into practice Photo By: Courtesy of Carlos Esnard

In 2009, the ITTF World Junior Championships will return to the continent where it all began, they will return to Latin America; in 2003, the inaugural event was staged in Santiago, Chile.

Six years later after a complete cycle of continents; the tournament, which is now firmly established on the calendar of the International Table Tennis Federation, will be staged in the magnificent Caribbean setting of Cartagena in Colombia.

Jairo Paez, President of the Colombian Table Tennis Federation is determined that the prestigious event will be a success and is well aware that certain areas are in need of attention.

Positive

"We must be positive and take the bull by the horns, we must start now to make solid steps forward," said Jairo Paez. "In 2009 we want to present the world with the best image possible of Colombia."

An area that needs attention in Colombia with officials, in creating more umpires; at the moment there are only three active international umpires in the country. It is not enough; especially with the 2009 global event looming ever large.

Course

Therefore, under the auspices of the increasingly successful ITTF Development Programme and the ambitious Colombian Table Tennis Federation, an Umpires Course was held at the High Performance Training Centre in the capital city, Bogota from 28th October to 1st November 2007.

The course was under the leadership of Costa Rica's Fernando Aguilar, the Director of the Latin American Rules Committee.

Eighteen students attended; their goal being to gain qualifications that will enable them to officiate at international events.

Theory into Practice

The theory part of the programme completed, the students had the chance to put their skills into practice. A tournament in various age group categories for children under the age of thirteen was the event at which the potential officials were in action; each event having sixteen players.

All matches were conducted under international rules, so some rackets were rejected, some coaches received yellow cards and some of the service techniques employed by the young players were faulted.

Much Needed

"Colombia needed a course like this some time ago," said Rodrigo Peace, one of the country's national coaches. "Good umpiring and adherence to international rules were present throughout the whole competition, exactly what was needed; also the players were presented correctly before the matches; that was also important, it enhanced the event."

Steps Forward

Good organisation, good presentation and a professional approach; all steps which enhance table tennis, all step towards a successful ITTF World Junior Championships on the shores of the Caribbean in Cartagena in 2009.

(Credit: ITTF. Click here for further information.)