A German table tennis (TT) expert has revealed that Sri Lanka’s players have the potential to reach greater heights with the right guidance and development with the only thing lacking being the technical know-how.
Martin Adomeit the former German women’s TT coach in an exclusive interview to the Sunday Observer rued that Sri Lanka has not been able to see the true potential that lies within the system.
“Sri Lanka has good table tennis players with really high potential. But what’s most important in modern TT is the service and return”, said Martin.
“Sri Lankan TT is not yet developed enough to meet international challenges. You’ve only to look at the top teams in the world and how they’re playing. I have already discussed this with the players. I had a chat with them thanks to the Asian German Sports Exchange Programme (AGSEP),” Martin added.
Martin was invited by the Chairman of AGSEP Dietma Doering to conduct clinics in Sri Lanka. He was the German coach for the national women’s team from 1997 to 2000 and under him Germany won the European League three times in a row plus the European Ladies Team Cup in 1998 and 1999.
“We also had the opportunity to win the European Championship gold in 1998 and in 2000 we won the silver medal. I have vast experience to teach this sport and now I can give my knowledge to other countries like what I am doing through the AGSEP project”, he said.
“I think AGSEP has more responsibility for this and their effort is very important. I visited various places and former Table Tennis Federation of Sri Lanka (TTASL) president Chandana Perera always guided me to meet players and coaches during my short visit.”
Martin said that he has realised Sri Lanka has a good system in place where the basics can be taught to players and what was important was for players to continue with the sport after leaving school.
“The best age for a player is between 25 and 32 and this is something you have to take serious note of”, declared Martin.
But Martin has also noted that Sri Lankan players have to reach the optimal physical condition which refers to good body tension in the back and stomach to stand deep while facing the opponent.
According to Martin the number of players in Sri Lanka has dropped compared to 20 years ago and that it was important for parents to see the potential in their kids and give them the right encouragement.
He said organising table tennis clubs was also very import for the future growth of the sport. “We could push Sri Lankan table tennis in a new direction and the best way to develop TT is in unison with AGSEP and this is the best opportunity for Sri Lankans,” said Martin
Chairman of AGSEP, Deitma Doering said that Martin Adomeit is an ideal initiator to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for sports oriented German tourists who would with great interest participate in witnessing the further development of table tennis in the island. Since the inception of AGSEP 1989 Sri Lanka table tennis has experienced a revival through reciprocal sports exchange programs between Sri Lanka and Germany.
The Asian German Sports Exchange Program is engaged in fundamental research studies, surveys and scientific publications on the subject of social impacts of sports events and their respective influence on the development of better understanding of groups in divided societies.
“TT is a good sport we can develop in Sri Lanka. Our ultimate aim is to produce TT players for Olympic medals and I think with this type of AGSEP project we could reach this target in the very near future,” said Doering the man behind the success of AGSEP.