Kumar praises work of Chinese coach
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
May 2, 2004
DIRECTOR of Sport within the National Sports Commission (NSC) Neil Kumar has praised the efforts of Chinese table tennis coach Zhou Ping.
On a visit to the training ground (Cliff Anderson Sports Hall) on Friday, Kumar expressed his sentiments at the good work Ping, assisted by national coach Linden Johnson is doing.
“I think he is doing a good job. He is very consistent in his training and I also commend Linden (Johnson) for the job he is doing as well.
It is heartening to see so many children here; I never expected to see this much and I am also pleased with the response by the children and parents.”
Kumar said there is need for a continuation of the Chinese training programme.
“I think his contract needs to be renewed or if not I hope Minister Teixeira (Gail) will bring another Chinese coach, because I am hoping for a togetherness of the GTTA (Guyana Table Tennis Association) and the NSC in the future.”
The Director of Sports himself has a daughter who is apart of the training session daily at the venue.
While there, Kumar also mingled and chatted with the Chinese coach and the players.
Ping, who is on a one-year stint that ends in September feels that the Guyanese players have made progress both at the junior and senior levels.
The Director of Sport said that he is hopeful that the society will show support for the players and the sport to aid in their development.
Ping further added that the focus on the table is not so good since the players are amateurs but he is hoping that the female players will medal at regional and international games because they are showing marked improvement in their game.
The coach said the players lack adequate international experience and this contributes to their downfall, and the focus now should be on the psychological aspect of their game.
He said they are playing reasonable tennis technically and tactically.
Ping arrived here in September of 2003 through the Guyana/China government agreement and had been working with players from the beginner stage up to the seniors.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Gail Teixeira had disclosed that the Chinese coach’s primary duty would have been to put together the best junior and senior national teams to make them competition ready, while also working along with the GTTA to develop beginner programmes.
Ping has so far been part of an out reach programme to Bartica in which they imparted knowledge for future development.
The GTTA along with Ping will be in Berbice in the coming week for a three-day workshop, which will culminate with a Berbice tournament.