The Puerto Rico Table Tennis Federation extends a hand of friendship to the SKNTTA

ZIZ Sports…Nov 10 2011 – Boosting international acclaimed junior table tennis players, to the likes of 10 year old Adriana Diaz, an ITTF Hopes table tennis athlete, the Puerto Rico Table Tennis Federation (FPRTM) extended an invitation to Kevin Hope, President of the St Kitts and Nevis Table Tennis Association, to witness first-hand the practice sessions and local junior competition, the Utuado Table Tennis Open at the Eagles of the Mountain Table Tennis Club on October 28, 2011.

From Left: Ivan Santos, President FPRTM; (3rd left) Bladimir Diaz Nieves, President Eagles of the Mountain Table Tennis and Mr. Kevin Hope, President SKNTTA (r.h.s). Photo courtesy Daniel Arazamendi

Kevin addressed the audience at the Utuado Table Tennis Open, “my visit to Puerto Rico is one of an apprenticeship, to learn from my colleagues the key ingredients for junior table tennis success, the level of work and resources required to develop international athletes, as has been done in Puerto Rico for the past five years.”

He added, “Our goal is to implement a similar developmental program in S Kitts and Nevis and to engage in sporting and cultural exchanges with clubs such as yours.

To date, I am pleased with the warm hospitality of the Puerto Ricans and the guidance received from the FPRTM to develop local tournaments. ” Both the President of the Eagles of the Mountain Table Tennis club, Mr Bladimir Diaz (Adrianna’s father) and Mr Ivan Santos President of the Puerto Rico Table Tennis Federation reciprocated, by extending a hand of co-operation to the SKNTTA to host junior players (Under-10 years of age) from St Kitts and Nevis for two week periods during the summer to attend training camp in Puerto Rico and reside at the Eagles club facilities.

By mid-January 2012, under the stewardship of President Ivan Santos, Puerto Rico is expected to host the largest table tennis event to be held in the Caribbean, the 2011 ITTF Global Cadet Challenge & Global Junior Circuit Finals, with the golden jewels such as Adriana Diaz and Brian Afanador to showcase their talent on the international stage.

From Left: Under-8 players, Bladimir Diaz Nieves, President Eagles of the Mountain Table Tennis, Mr. Kevin Hope, President SKNTTA and Ivan Santos, President FPRTM. Photo courtesy Daniel Arazamendi