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Guwahati, June 7: Korean coach Li Jung Sik will train Assam paddlers for a month at the Abita Indoor Stadium here from today.
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has deputed the senior coach of DPR Korea to impart advanced coaching in Assam and Maharashtra in the ensuing two months.
“Sik’s compatriot Kim Il Mu had trained here 27 years ago. Since then, this is the first time any foreign coach will train Assam paddlers. We are thankful to TTFI secretary general Dhanraj Choudhury who kept my request and has deputed Sik to train our players,” said ATTA president and forest minister Rakibul Hussain here today.
Apart from Mu’s camp in 1985, another Korean coach, Pak U. Gil, had coached the Assam paddlers in 1978.
“Gil’s coaching in 1978 had revolutionised table tennis in India as well as in our state. We hope Sik’s camp will usher in a similar change in the standard of the sport in our state,” said ATTA secretary Tridib Duvarah. Nearly 120 players will be trained in the monthlong camp.
The ATTA has already shortlisted 62 players to attend the camp and its affiliated district units will nominate remaining players.
“We have asked our district units to send six players each, including three girls, to the camp,” Duvarah said.
The ATTA will bear the expense of accommodation and food for the outstation paddlers. NIS coaches Gobinda Upadhaya and Biman Bhagabati will assist Sik during the camp. “I am sure this phase of coaching will help Assam produce quality players in the national and international level within the next one year,” said former state paddler Curfew Roy.
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