Branton Matondo
Manicaland Table Tennis Association (MTTA) is looking forward to closing the gap in table tennis following the initiation of a training programme held at Moffatt Hall last month where 28 teachers from public schools.
Speaking to TellZim News MTTA chairperson Nelson Murenje said the response from Mutare has been great especially focusing on the girl child.
“The response is overwhelming especially in schools, even those in districts outside Mutare. This rise in female teachers involvement in the sport coaching is encouraging. This will definitely boost women participation in the sport at all levels.
“We are mobilising resources so that we reach out to all the seven districts of Manicaland. That’s our plan,” said Murenje.
Table tennis is one sport that has been swallowed by mainstream sporting codes in Zimbabwe and popularity of the sporting discipline has for long been fading if not dead especially in terms of grassroots development.
Ten female teachers participated.
The idea behind the programme was to equip tutors with table tennis skills and certify them at the same time.
Training syllabus at the workshop was based on the standard Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) coaching manual which includes theory, physical exercises and drills.
In an official report compiled from the workshop MTTA laid bare their plans going forward.
“We wish to execute our plan of action of holding such coaching workshops in all districts of Manicaland, create a special and effective way of involving secondary schools in table tennis activities and engage organizations or individuals to partner the association in the district coaching outreach programmes,” read the statement by MTTA.
MTTA looks to involve schools within Mutare and other districts in its drive to change the image of the sport.
