Visit of the ITF to the masificación project in Sucre.

We were very happy when we got the news that Miguel Miranda was coming to Sucre to evaluate the “Proyecto de masificación de Tenis”. Miguel is responsible for South America for the development programme of the ITF (International Tennis Federation). Together with Orlando Sandagorda, responsible within the FBT (Federación de Tenis Boliviana), he paid us a visit. Two experienced men with an excellent view on how to develop tennis and create possibilities for the playing kids, the participating schools and the different organizations involved. Combined with their good sense of humour and pleasant company we had a wonderful and productive time together. It gave us the opportunity to discuss the progress, but also the problems and solutions.

It was a full schedule. First we had a meeting at the “Club the Tenis de Sucre” to get to know each other. In the afternoon we went to one of the pilot schools to see the tennis-classes at Emilio Hochsman in Barrio Villa Armonia. Not only the kids also “Profe Jorge” showed his utmost. In the evening a meeting was planned with the parents. Many moms and dads were there. OK something technical went wrong, but de “Padres de familia” loved to see their kids in action. And guess what, one of the comments was: we want to train more! The children are very eager to learn and become a better player.

The next morning we had the “normal” training of the A-selection on real tennis courts. Almost 30 “chicos y chicas” were there, showing their skills and learning new techniques. Miguel and Orlando were fully participating in the training and had some great advises and feedback. Later we visited the private tennis-school of la Madona and were able to discuss the problem of the availability of canchas with them. Maybe this tennis-complex can be part of the solution. At night Miguel and Orlando had a successful play and stay training course for all the tennis trainers of Sucre and some other participants.

This morning we had the opportunity to discuss some problems but above all solutions with the new Director of Sports of the Department Chuquisaca. It looks like we are getting somewhere. Most important of all is, that the participating children had a wonderful time, Miguel and Orlando got a good idea about the status of the project and the (Bolivian) people involved got new energy.

Thank you gentlemen

Albert and Randi
Stichting Chicos de los Andes
Sucre, 26th of June, 2010