Foreigners Benefit from Nation’s Table Tennis Expertise: Shanghai College at the Forefront of Coaching Efforts
For the past five years, Geoffrey Loi has been living his dream of being coached by his sports idol. Loi, 23, a passionate table tennis player from Papua New Guinea, has had the privilege of being under the watchful eye of Olympic and world champion Zhang Yining at the Shanghai University of Sport’s China Table Tennis College (CTTC).
Established in 2010 by China’s General Administration of Sport and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the CTTC stands as the world’s only sports college dedicated to table tennis. Its primary focus is on training, teaching, and scientific research in the sport.
In a recent milestone, the college established a training center in Papua New Guinea in November 2018. To commemorate this development, Grand Slam winner Zhang Yining and world champion Shi Zhihao visited the center to coach local players. It was during this visit that Loi, a player on the Papua New Guinea national team, had the incredible opportunity to meet Zhang in person for the first time.
Loi’s fascination with table tennis started in 2008 at the age of 8, coinciding with Zhang’s prime when she clinched gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. He mentioned growing up watching videos of Zhang and her national teammates playing the sport, finding inspiration in their skills and techniques. Loi expressed his admiration for Zhang, stating, Everything she did was just wonderful.
Recalling their initial encounter, Zhang noted that Loi seemed nervous and struggled to showcase his playing style. However, she recognized his passion for table tennis and his eagerness to improve. Both coach and student believe that assembling world-class talents like Zhang and creating opportunities for international players can contribute to the global development of table tennis.
The partnership between the CTTC and Papua New Guinea’s table tennis scene signifies the college’s commitment to sharing China’s expertise and nurturing talent worldwide. By extending its coaching efforts beyond its borders, the CTTC is playing a pivotal role in promoting the sport internationally. This collaboration is not only beneficial to foreign players like Loi but also crucial in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties.
Through its unique emphasis on training, teaching, and scientific research, the CTTC continues to shape the future of table tennis. As more international players gain access to world-class coaching and guidance from experienced champions, the sport grows ever more vibrant and inclusive. The Shanghai University of Sport’s China Table Tennis College is firmly established at the forefront of these efforts, extending its influence across continents and enriching the global table tennis community.
