Tennis in Algeria

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian Slimane Saoudi defeated Anas Fattar of Morocco on Thursday (November 9th) in the men's singles semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations in tennis in Tunis. On Friday, he will meet Morocco's Mehdi Ziadi, who defeated Tunisian Malek Jaziri, in the final.

In the women's singles semi-finals, Algeria's Samia Medjahdi defeated Fatima Zohra El Allami from Morocco in straight sets. Moroccan Bahia Mouhtassine won the other semi-final against Marinne Giraud from Mauritius. The final between Medjahdi and Mouhtassine will also be played on Friday.

In the men's doubles final on Friday, Algeria's Abdelhak Hameurlaine and Slimane Saoudi will play Moroccans Mehdi Ziadi and Anas Fattar.

Algerians play against Moroccans at African Cup of Nations tennis finals

[Nectar77]

May the best WIN....US

[Al-khiyal]

Morocco won two of the Algerian-Moroccan finals at the African Cup of Nations in tennis on Friday (November 10th) in Tunis. In the women's singles final, Morocco's Bahia Mouhtassine defeated Algerian Samia Medjahdi in straight sets. In men's doubles, Mehdi Ziadi and Anas Fattar beat Algerians Abdelhak Hameurlaine and Slimane Saoudi in straight sets.

Algerian Slimane Saoudi defeated Morocco's Mehdi Ziadi in the men's final.

Finals' results

[Nectar77]

Morocco won two of the Algerian-Moroccan finals

....URGH....whatever...

[Sminette]

shame ...but we'll finish'em next time ...no worries!

[Al-khiyal]

Kaka Lawson conducts a practical session in Tipasa

Togo’s Kaka Lawson completed an ITTF Level One Coaches Course in Tipasa, Algeria on Tuesday 26th December and thus closed the curtain on events that had been part of the ITTF Development Programme in 2006.

Glenn Tepper, ITTF Development Manager, could sit back and reflect on another year of progress but of course that’s not the style of the man from Melbourne.

Complacency is not a word that appears in the Tepper Dictionary; introducing more people to the sport, creating opportunities that previously did not exist and measuring success by the smiles on participants’ faces is his reward.

Largely through his efforts a successful team has been created and therefore successful programmes have been completed; the course in Algeria from 21st to 26th December 2006 was no exception.

Highly motivated

“Thirty-one highly motivated coaches took part in the ITTF Level One course; twenty-six completed the twenty-four hours necessary and eleven moved forward to fulfil the thirty hours necessary to become ITTF Level One coaches”, explained Kaka Lawson. “It was a difficult task to select those who should go forward as the standard was very high; in addition we selected six members of the course for ITTF Level One Course Conductor training.”

Course members were clearly keen to reach a high level as quickly as possible and a well organised programme facilitated their efforts. “The conditions in Tipasa were very good”, continued Kaka Lawson. “Accommodation, playing facilities and the equipment used were all excellent.”

Established

The programme conducted by Kaka Lawson was an important aspect in promoting table tennis in a country where the sport is reasonably well established.

“Table tennis was played extensively in Algeria before the creation of the country’s table tennis federation in 1977”, explained Kaka Lawson. “The Algerian Table Tennis Federation is now a member of the International Table Tennis Federation and the African Table Tennis Federation.”

Umpires & coaches

Nowadays the experts necessary to promote table tennis would appear to be largely in place.

“There are over ten thousand registered players and twenty-five international umpires, of whom four have gained the Blue Badge award”, said Kaka Lawson. “Also, there are seventy-four professional coaches who qualified at the Institute of Sport in Algiers and two hundred club coaches who qualified as a result of the scheme instigated by the Algerian Table Tennis Federation in 1986.”

Events

Furthermore, the country has been very active in the organised international events. “Algeria has organised an ITTF World Junior Circuit event and was the host for the 15th African Youth Championships”, explained Kaka Lawson. “In 2007 it will again hold an ITTF World Junior Circuit event whilst also staging the 9th African Games, a qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and the 2nd Afro-Asian Games.”

Young players

It is a very ambitious programme for 2007 but one that reflects the growing status of table tennis in Algeria. “Sofiane Boudjadja, Idir Khourta and Leila Boucetta are the leading players in Algeria”, said Kaka Lawson. “They all currently play in France but most definitely there are some promising young players emerging.”

Encouraging news for Algeria, the potential is present; now the task is to develop that potential; the course led by Kaka Lawson could well prove invaluable in enabling that scenario to bear fruit.


Kaka Lawson reinforcing his point in Tipasa

ITTF Level One Coaches Course in Algeria brings 2006 to a successful conclusion

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian won the silver medal in the men's team event at the African Table Tennis Championship, which is being held through Saturday (February 17th) in Congo Brazaville. Nigeria won the gold, while Tunisia placed fourth behind Congo Brazaville. In the women's event, Tunisia finished with the bronze medal, behind Egypt and Cameroon. The individual competition starts on Wednesday.

Silver for Algeria at African Table Tennis Championship