Zambia Table Tennis Association (ZTTA) successfully conducted a table tennis coaching clinic for pupils from the KCM Konkola Trust School.

The five-day coaching clinic, which concluded on Friday 15 December, 2017, at Kamenza Hall in Chililabombwe, was organized by KCM, with the support of the ZTTA, with a view to revive the sport and impart coaching skills in coaches and improve playing standards for the athletes.

120 pupils aged between 7 and 16, were joined by 10 in-house coaches during the week-long clinic conducted by South Korean Coach Pastor Hak Sung Hwang and his assistants from the ZTTA.

ZTTA Acting Secretary General Boyd Kabinda said the level of knowledge and technical skills among the athletes needed to be upgraded if Zambia was to win honours at international tournaments.

Mr. Kabinda said the ZTTA aimed to reach out to all the 10 provinces of Zambia in attempts to close gaps in table tennis within the next three years.

He said Zambia had the potential to play competitive table tennis at international tournaments, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Our intention as ZTTA is to identify new talent across the country, targeting the youths from urban and remote parts of the country,” he said. The association would help to revive the sport in schools.

“We would like talent identification to be extended to other parts of Zambia in order to (positively) impact the youths and the sport,” he said.

Mr. Kabinda hailed the embassies of China and Germany for supporting the ZTTA in its efforts to prop up the sport in the country.

Konkola Trust Secondary School Head teacher Abel Bwishi, commended management for supporting sport at KCM schools, especially the table tennis coaching clinics. He also praised ZTTA for its commitment to the coaching clinic and development of table tennis.

“Our goal is to expose students to a variety of sport so as to enhance their interest, involvement and competitiveness,” Mr. Bwishi said.

Mr. Bwishi said KCM would consider making the coaching clinic an annual event in order to improve performances among athletes.