The International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO), in partnership with the ISF Academy and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has launched an international coach education programme in India aimed at strengthening grassroots table tennis through the professional development of physical education teachers and school coaches.
The initiative marks the first school-focused table tennis coach education programme to be delivered in India under the ISF Academy International Federation Education Programme, bringing internationally recognised coaching standards into the country’s international school ecosystem.
Designed around the ITTF’s official coach education framework, the programme combines classroom-based learning with practical on-table training to equip educators with the technical knowledge and coaching methodologies required to develop young players. Participants will receive internationally recognised certification while gaining expertise in player development, competition management, officiating and the laws of table tennis.
The collaboration reflects a shared ambition to strengthen school sport by investing in educator development, recognising teachers and coaches as key drivers of long-term participation and athlete development. Rather than focusing solely on elite performance pathways, the programme seeks to establish a sustainable grassroots foundation by enhancing the quality of coaching delivered within schools.
Speaking about the initiative, Ms Christina Chee, ITTF Educator, said, “Coach education plays a vital role in building a strong sporting ecosystem. By empowering teachers and coaches with internationally recognised knowledge and practical coaching techniques, we are creating better learning environments for young players. It is encouraging to see such enthusiasm from educators in India, and I hope this programme helps inspire the next generation of table tennis athletes.”
Mr Gaurav Dixit, Co-Director of the International School Sports Organisation (ISSO), added, “At ISSO, we are committed to creating meaningful sporting opportunities for students by empowering the educators who guide them every day. Our collaboration with the ISF Academy and ITTF reflects our vision of bringing world-class coach education to India and strengthening grassroots table tennis. By equipping teachers and coaches with internationally recognised coaching methodologies, we are laying the foundation for the holistic development of young athletes across schools.”
The programme forms part of the ISF Academy’s broader strategy to deliver internationally accredited education programmes in collaboration with global sports federations. India has emerged as a key market for these initiatives, following previous partnerships with organisations including the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), reinforcing the country’s growing importance in the development of school sport.
For ISSO, the partnership expands its role beyond organising inter-school competitions by strengthening its professional development offering for educators and enhancing the overall quality of sports delivery within international schools. The organisation serves as the official pathway for students from international curriculum schools in India to compete at ISF World Championships and other international school sporting events, while also acting as an approved affiliate pathway to the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) National School Games since 2017.
For the ITTF, the initiative represents a strategic investment in grassroots participation by embedding internationally recognised coaching practices within school environments. By focusing on educators rather than exclusively on club coaches, the programme aims to broaden access to the sport, create stronger player development pathways and establish schools as a critical foundation for the future growth of table tennis in India.
