First Class in Indore, Richard McAfee Set to Follow Route of Celebrated Indian Star

The largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Indore is the home of Rahul Dravid, the former Indian Cricket Captain and in the art of wielding a bat, in his prime one of the very best in the world. However, Indore is not only a focal point for the rathger large bat traditionally manufactured from willow. It is very much the home for a smaller bat, one you can hold in one hand; that which is used to hit the celluloid ball – the table tennis racket. Administered by the Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association, the Abhay Prashal Stadium houses full-time dedicated table tennis venue. It is first class, as Richard McAfee discovered when paying a recent visit. The vastly experienced American was present in the superb stadium to conduct an ITTF/PTT Level One Coaches Course from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th October 2012. State of Art Venue “There is room for 40 tables with seating for up to 12,000 spectators along with attached dorms for visiting players and coaches”, enthused Richard McAfee. “The Stadium has already hosted several ITTF Pro Tour tournaments and made it perfect host for the ITTF/PTT Level One Course.” Trilogy of Courses Organised in conjunction with the ITTF Development Programme, the Table Tennis Federation of India and Tenvic, an India Sports Development Company, Indore is the second of a trilogy of courses being staged in India under the guidance of Richard McAfee. The first was in Ajmer from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th October, the concluding course being in Bangalore from Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st October. Impressive Numbers Attended “Twenty-two coaches, some who travelled more than 36 hours by train and bus to arrive to Indore, greatly enjoyed the excellent organization of the local organizer, Jayesh Acharya who is the General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association”, added Richard McAfee. “Assisting Jayesh was Sharad Goyal and Pramod Gangrade.” Next Stop Bangalore Two courses completed, the next stop on the Indian tour is Bangalore, a city steeped in sport with in addition to cricket, it is from where Davis Cup tennis stars, badminton champions and Indian Premier League Hockey protagonists have emerged.

A demonstration during a practical session

Full House Equally, table tennis is high on the city’s sporting agenda.  “The course in Bangalore is already totally full”, smiled a delighted Richard McAfee. “There is a waiting list of coaches wishing to attend!” Such a tremendous response indicates demand is high and accordance with the basic laws of economics, there is a need for supply. More for Future “The three courses are the first ITTF/PTT Level One Courses to be offered in India and the positive response of the coaches shows that more will be offered in the future”, concluded Richard McAfee. “Tenvic in conjunction with the Table Tennis Federation of India has a long term plan to raise the level of local coaches throughout India by offering both the ITTF Coaching Education Courses and also through additional materials and services developed by Tenvic especially for the Indian Coaches.” Bangalore Awaits Bangalore awaits; originally from Indore but it was in Bangalore where Rahul Dravid rose to cricketing fame.  Bat in hand, Richard McAfee follows in famous footsteps.

Members of the group in Indore with Richard McAfee

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