July 22, 2010
Halcyon Days for Spain Recognised in Caribbean Sunshine
 A practical session in progress in Grenada Photo By: courtesy of Ramon Ortega Montes |
Courtesy of ITTF He was been congratulated for doing nothing, simply for being Spanish; the reason of course being that Spain had just won the F.I.F.A World Cup. |
Ramon Ortega Montes was in Grenada to conduct an ITTF/PTT Level One Course and Training Camp organized under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity and the ITTF Development Program.
The course concludes on Monday July 26, 2010.
Further Glory
Undoubtedly the football success in South Africa is still being celebrated in Spain and to some extent has overshadowed another Spanish victory, which had not escaped the attention of Delvert Braveboy, President of the Grenada Table Tennis Association.
He was quick to recognize the victories of the tennis star, Rafael Nadal, who had won at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Minister of Sport
Also present at the Opening Ceremony was Patrick Simmons, Minister of Sports, a fan of basketball who in his current position, is determined to see all sports enjoy equal opportunities.
He declared the Course open.
Pleased to Return
It was for Ramon Ortega Montes a return to the Caribbean, an area of the world he clearly enjoys visiting.
“In 2008, when I was asked to go to Trinidad and Tobago for the Development Program, I accepted; three days later I received the offer to go to the Olympic Games as masseur of the National Spanish Team; I told them, no chance because I am going to the Caribbean”, reflected Ramon Ortega Montes. “I was a little bit sad but after the experience, I was very happy I decided to go to Trinidad and Tobago, because I learnt a lot, and met many people; I enjoyed my time in those islands so I was very happy to return to the Caribbean and to Grenada.”
Almost Equal Numbers
A successful course ensued with Jason Stanisclaus, who recently completed an ITTF Level Two Course in El Salvador assisting; a total of 20 students attended of whom nine were female.
“It was good to see similar numbers of male and female participants!” remarked Ramon Ortega Montes. “The first four days were dedicated to the ITTF/PTT Course with the fifth day seeing a break for a religious festival and day six concluding matters”.
According to Needs
Each day the length of each session was timed according to needs of the students but all made progress. “Mr Braveboy and Mr Alison, the General Secretary, both mentioned this fact when interviewed by television”, explained Ramon Ortega Montes. “Also, at the end of the course, Patrick Simmons explained that Ms Rosemarie Dinnoh, a professional table tennis coach and a participant of the course, visits different schools to teach table tennis and they are waiting for the positive response from the Ministry to employ a further coach; perhaps, one of the participants will be that selected coach?”
Pertinent Question
A most active participant on the course was Rene Belfon. “He asked a very pertinent question about Para Table Tennis, perhaps players in Classes One and Two suffered when they played, so why did they play”, explained Ramon Ortega Montes. “My only answer was they had spirit and were trying to overcome adversity.”
No doubt Ramon Ortega Montes is correct and his stay in Grenada continues. He now moves to St Johns.
The Caribbean spirit.
Photo By: courtesy of Ramon Ortega Montes
The Paralympic component of the course.
Photo By: courtesy of Ramon Ortega Montes
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