April 20, 2009
Tux Provides the Lux for Belize to Shine Brightly on Caribbean Shores
 Melecio Rivera and Glenn Tepper (front) with Belize Committee members and Tux Vasquez (back right) Photo Courtesy of Melecio Rivera |
Courtesy of ITTF |
Bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean, the country is unique; it is the only nation in the isthmus that joins North and South America that was never a part of the Spanish Empire.
Furthermore, in the world of table tennis, the national association would seem to following policies that may not be unique but certainly are trendsetters.
Driving Force
From absolute zero, matters have progressed in the Central American country at lightning speed with a tournament program, coaching and ranking scheme all in place. The driving force and President of the Belize Table Tennis Association is the forward thinking Arturo “Tux” Vasquez, who took the opportunity at the Latin American Annual General Meeting in El Salvador to invite Melecio Rivera, President of the Latin American Table Tennis Union and Glenn Tepper, ITTF Development Director, to visit Belize and witness the current healthy situation at first hand.
Memory Lane
“Belize was an active and strong table tennis nation 20 years ago; at that time the leading player, “Tux” Vasquez, travelled regularly and competed on a level footing with Latin America’s best players of the time”, explained Glenn Tepper. “In El Salvador he was very pleased to meet up with former adversaries such as Juan Vila of the Dominican Republic and Miguel Delgado of Guatemala, to reminisce about Belize’s glory days.”
A dedicated player; he continues to relish the thrill of competition.
New Focus
“While still probably close to the best player in Belize still, his focus now is very much on building a new generation of Belize table tennis players and he is leaving no stone unturned to achieve the goal”, continued Glenn Tepper, who with Melecio Rivera enjoyed a very intensive few days in Belize.
Meetings were held with the National Sports Council, the National Olympic Committee, the Belize Table Tennis Association Executive Committee and Belize Table Tennis Association members, as well as attending newspaper interviews and two television chat shows, each highlighting table tennis for 30 minutes.
Well Received
“The meeting with the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association was well received with the supportive President Edward “Ned” Pitts and Secretary-General Hilberto “Hilly” Martinez agreeing to support Belize table tennis participation in the Central American Games as well as an Olympic Solidarity Technical Course in 2010”, explained Glenn Tepper. “The Executive Director of Belize National Sports Council, Anthony Michael, also promised to support and assist table tennis growth in Belize.”
In addition, support has been from the International Table Tennis Federation and from the Latin American Table Tennis Union.
Equipment Package
“Belize has received an equipment package which is regularly used for their training and competition sessions, with the next assistance to come in the form of an umpiring course in 2009”, said Glenn Tepper, who was instrumental in effecting the support and had wise words for those promoting the sport of table tennis in the country.
Wise Words
“As discussed with the Belize Table Tennis Association Executive Committee, the journey to becoming a strength in Central and Latin America will not be achieved overnight”, he advised. “However, with a good structure in place, strong leadership and motivation to succeed, together; with the combined support of the Belize Olympic Committee, Belize Sports Council, the International Table Tennis Federation and the Latin American Table Tennis Union, the future is bright.”
Measure of Light
Certainly that would seem to be the situation; lux is the unit of luminous emittance.
In Belize “Tux” provides the “Lux”.
Glenn Tepper and Melecio Rivera (left) at the Television Chat show with
Arturo Vasquez (far right).
Photo Courtesy of Melecio Rivera
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