Good Organisation the Key to A Successful Olympic Solidarity Course in Laos !

Photo: Eager students with Arif Khan in Vientiane

A peaceful country and a popular tourist destination with a population of about six million, famous for its beautiful water falls and ancient Buddhists Temples, Laos was the home for an Olympic Solidarity course from 7th to 10th June 2007.

Led by Pakistan Arif Khan, organised under the auspices of the ITTF Development Programme and with an ITTF Level One Coaches course being the curriculum; a successful itinerary was completed in the Sports Hall of Laos National University in Vientiane... more info


Popularity
Table tennis is the third most popular sport in this country after football and badminton・ said Arif Khan. Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation have been doing a great deal to develop and popularise the sport in Laos; this was the fourth course that was arranged in the last four years.・br>
Enthusiasm
A total of sixteen coaches came from all parts of the country to attend this course. 鄭ll the coaches showed a lot of interest in learning everything about the game・ continued Arif Khan. 溺ost of the classes went on longer than scheduled owing to the enthusiasm shown by the coaches, as they tried to get more information; seven coaches out of sixteen passed the examination.・br>
Good Organisation
The enthusiasm motivated Arif Khan who clearly appreciated the efforts that had been made to run a successful programme.

The course was very well organised and all the facilities were excellent; this was all due to the efforts of Mr. Kasem Inthara the General Secretary of Laos National Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmasone Vilaysouk General Secretary of the Laos Table Tennis Association・ continued Arif Khan. However, the person who really worked hard and made sure that everything ran smoothly was the untiring Miss Somchai Vongsa; she is not only the back bone of the national table tennis association but also the Deputy Secretary.

Positive Effect
Good organisation is the key to success and is having a positive effect in Laos.

典he Laos Table Tennis Association seems to be doing well in raising the standard of the game amongst the juniors; they recently hired a Chinese coach to train their junior players to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which they are organising in Vientiane from 15th to 19th June 2007・ explained Arif Khan. 典hey will be sending their team to train for two months in China this year to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which is going to be held in December.
However, the main focus at the moment is the South East Asia Games which Laos will organize in 2009 and are most certainly they will be hoping to end proceedings with a medal haul.

Thanks
There is a very positive attitude in Laos at the moment and the officials are thankful for the support given.

泥r. Phouthong Sengakhom the President of Laos Olympic Association, Miss Sengduen Lachanthaboun President of Laos Table Tennnis Association, Mr. Kasem Inthara General Secretary Laos Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmsone Vilaysouk General Secretary Laos Table Tennis Association have very kindly told me to thank Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation・ said Arid Khan. 摘specially they asked me to thank Mr. Adham Sharara ITTF President and Mr. Glenn Tepper ITTF Development Manager for providing them the opportunity to develop the game in Laos.・br>
Seizing the Chance
The opportunity has been provided but Laos is making the most of the opportunity.

的t is through the efforts of Mr Adham Sharara and Mr Glenn Tepper that further growth is possible, thus the standard of play not only in the Vientiane region will improve but they will progress internationally・ continued Arif Khan. 擢urthermore, they hope that Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation will further extend their co-operation and will help provide technical assistance in organising the 2009 South East Asia Games successfully.

No doubt they will receive whatever support is needed but it would seem they have a very good organisation in Laos, and whatever help is afforded, however great or small, the 2009 South East Asia Games will be a success.

Source: www.ittf.com