The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) in partnership with the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation, on January 17 to 26, successfully organized a technical course for coaches – level 1 and 29 participants including 8 women and 3 Para Table Tennis coaches.
After a 10-day workshop at Centre Christus – Remera, 28 out of 29 participants were awarded completion certificates. This course consisted of theoretical and practical knowledge and was conducted by Mr. Cédric ROULEAU who is an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Expert. The participants also had an opportunity to internally compete to deeply understand what they have learned through actions.
Beside the knowledge, with support of the Mauritius Table Tennis Federation, Ping Sans Frontières and Go Sport Company, Mr. Cédric ROULEAU donated Table Tennis balls, nets, paddles and books to the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation.
On January 18, the Secretary General of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Mr. Joseph Kajangwe together with the President of Rwanda Table Tennis Federation Mr. John Bosco Birungi officiated the opening ceremony of the training while the closing ceremony was attended by the President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Mr. Theo UWAYO and the representative of Ministry of Sports Mr. Gervais MUNYANZIZA.
At the opening ceremony of the workshop, Mr. John Bosco Birungi, President of the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation, said: “Our coaches were not at the required level and needed to be trained in order to make the game more professional. I also take this opportunity to thank the RNOSC and the Ministry of Sports for their partnership to make this happen.”
In his opening remarks: “Our responsibilities include assisting our members (National Sports Federations) in technical or management training. The 10-day course is for 29 coaches so we hope that at least each district will have a trained table tennis coach,” said Joseph KAJANGWE, the Secretary General of the RNOSC.
The expert Cédric ROULEAU praised the inclusiveness when it came to the representation of participants.
“There are active and former players in the national team. The Rwanda Schools Sports Federation is also represented and for the sustainable development of the game, it is always good to promote it in schools. People with disabilities and women have also taken part of in the course.”
Révérien Nsabimana, a trainee from Ruhango District, said they are going to start implementing what they have been taught in their clubs, which are located in different parts of the country and the federation pledged to keep assisting them.
During his closing remarks, the representative of the Ministry of Sports Gervais Munyanziza, said: “I congratulate the RNOSC and Table Tennis Federation for the initiative. The Ministry will continue to closely work with various stakeholders such as the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee to further accelerate the development of sports sector.”
At its conclusion, the RNOSC President Theo UWAYO, urged the participants to go back in their respective clubs and share the skills they have learned during this 10-day training with their members.
“This is a high-level training course, which was provided by the International Table Tennis Federation Expert Mr. Cédric ROULEAU. I hope it will help produce more table tennis players in country under the Federation’s lead in the near future,” He said.
The event was concluded on January 26 with a certificate award ceremony, exchange of gifts and a group photo.
Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee continues to empower and strengthen capacity-skills for both elite sports and Sports For All as well as to uplift sports disciplines which are lagging behind by training the sports administrators, coaches and supporting talented athletes.
For more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/158785774@N02/albums/72177720296043835/page1/