Four Nigerians were successful at the International Table Tennis Federation Level II Training Course for Coaches, which ended in Ibadan, Oyo State on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 15 Nigerian coaches participated in the weeklong training organised by ITTF in collaboration with Nigeria Olympic Committee,
Five coaches from other African countries also took part in the training held at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
The four Nigerian coaches who passed the course were Nosiru Bello, Wahab Goriola, Ifeoma Isaac and Nasiru Bello.
Ishaku Tikon, President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, commended the International Olympic Committee and NOC for the opportunity.
Tikon said the NOC gave the coaches an opportunity to improve their skills and be abreast of latest table tennis techniques.
He said: “This will further enhance their skills and knowledge on table tennis.
“The course is timely due to our preparations for the All Africa Games.
“We are grateful for the platform the IOC and NOC gave the coaches to leverage on.”
Ahmed Dawatly, the ITTF course conductor/trainer, commended the participants for their commitment.
Dawatly said this was the first training he conducted with 100 per cent attendance.
He said: “This is the first training I’m conducting that all the proposed participants came.
“This is highly commendable and I’m impressed.
“The participants also gave their full concentration during the course.
“They are now fully equipped to train and impart knowledge.
“Those that passed have what it takes to coach at all national levels.”
Mabrouk Ramzi, ITTF Africa Development Manager, said the course was a good one, adding: “But it was unfortunate some participants didn’t pass.”
Ramzi said the nature of the examination was the reason why some people failed.
He said: “It requires a lot of preparations.
“We’ve now agreed that participants should have their manuals six to eight weeks before a course.
“In this case the participants got their manuals two days into the training course and I guess that was why some of them failed.”