International Table Tennis Coach Pedro Marcos heading training camp in Malta
June 2011

On the 5th of July International coach Pedro Marcos will be arriving in Malta to conduct a six week training camp. Pedro Marcos has been head coach for European cup winners Caja Granada which includes the World’s number eight Vladimir Samsonov. Also coach for Swedish club Herrljunga and other top clubs in Spain. Pedro has also been on the training ranks of top stars Austria’s Roberto Gardos, Oleksandr Didukh and he is possibly one of the best ever coaches to visit the Maltese Islands. This is a grand opportunity for all table tennis fanatics as the training runs over nine weeks so there is so much room for learning and providing assessments to the table tennis students. This is one of the biggest chances for all table tennis students on the island to have hands on training under the expert eyes of an International coach without having to travel abroad to get the opportunity. This is also one of the biggest investments that the Table Tennis Academy Malta has ever done and has decided at board level to open the training to students outside the Academy. Training schedule is on seven days a week with both morning and evening sessions daily. There is also the opportunity for private tuition sessions. Incorporated in the program is also a fitness coach brought over from Spain Jesus Alvarez who will be taking care of coordination, plyometrics and velocity training.

Table Tennis National Championships 2011
20 to 22 May 2011

The much awaited MTTA National Championships have been a success for all who participated where the TTA has registered a good participation rate from amongst the top level students in all categories. The following are the highlights and salient points of the tournament.

Men's Singles: Mario Genovese - Runner Up
After having progressed to the final, Mario had a 3-2 lead over his adversary Daniel Bajada. With the championship title within sight, Daniel put forward all his strength and came back to take the game at 3-4.

Veterans: Mario Genovese - Winner
In his debut in the veterans category, Mario has taken the title beting David Pace 4-0 in the final match.

Mixed Doubles: Mario Genovese & Therese Genovese - Runners Up
The introduction of this category in this year's championships saw the participation of father and daughter finishing in 2nd place as runners up to the team formed by David & Jessica Pace

Men's Doubles:
Mario Genovese & Edward Baldacchino - Winner
Andrew Gambina & Mark Azzopardi - Runners Up
The results speak for themselves.... !

Apart from these, there were other matches of importance in which breakthroughs were registered. Many TTA students were in the limelight as a result of their training, determination, commitment and coaching that is bearing fruit.Of notable merit was:

• the performance and strong determination shown by Andrea Portelli in the quarter final of the Men's Singles where he beat top seeded player David Pace with a 4-1 victory. This is a turning point in Andrea's table tennis career and promises well for the future.
• Andrea Portelli and Steve Bugeja play a super topspin match that was extremely enjoyed by the spectators.
• Andrew Gambina beats coach Edward Baldacchino 4-2 and scares coach Mario Genovese in the semis with Andrew leading 2-0 up

Well done to all who participated !! :)

Table Tennis Academy Tibhar Teams Win Double
May 2011

The Table Tennis National League 2010/11 has come to an end in the most satisfying way for the Table Tennis Academy that saw its head coaches and top students dominating the standings table in a most convincing manner.
In the Premiere Division, TABLE TENNIS ACADEMY TIBHAR were crowned Champions with a clear ten point lead over the second placed team and an unbeaten record throughout the league. This team is composed of Academy coaches Mario Genovese and Edward Baldacchino together with Andrew Gambina and Daniel Vella Fondacaro who are two of the most promising students at the Academy.

St James Hospital TTC - Winners of the First Division National League 2010/11
May 2011

Highlights of the 5th MTTA Junior Ranking Tournaments 2010/11

In the Final of the Under-13 event, Dylan Zammit beat Kurt Crause  11-8, 11-6, 11-9.

In the Final of the Under-18 event, Daniel Bajada beat Andrea Portelli  11-3, 11-4, 11-6.

In the Under-13 Plate event, Ryan Paul Camilleri battled it out against Sascha Pace 2-3.

In the Under-18 event, Marcus Portelli comes back from O-2 to win against Adam Zouari.

In the Under-18 Qualifiers, Keith Vanhear beat Jessica Pace 3-2.

and Dylan Zammit comes back from 4-10 against Mikael Debono to win 3-2.

Overwhelming Response at the Angie Bajada Fund Raising Weekend
16th & 17th April 2011

The 16th and 17th April was a hive of activity at the Table Tennis Academy where a series of competitions in various categories were held in aid of the Help Angie Bajada Fund. Angie was involved in a motorcycle incident almost a year ago and her family, who are also big table tennis enthusiasts, have appealed for help to allow them to bring Angie back home and hopefully pave the way for rehabilitation to continue with her therapy. The highlight of the weekend was a battle among the Top 10 players in the local table tennis scene. In the first semi-final, Daniel Bajada who is Angie’s brother played a convincing game against Charles Sammut to qualify for the final against Mario Genovese who played his semi-final game against Edward Baldacchino. Mario and Edward are the founders of the Table Tennis Academy with a long history of success. Their match was a display of strength and a battle to the last ball offering the spectators an enjoyable duel. In the final, Mario Genovese emerged winner over Daniel Bajada in a much merited victory.	Top 10 players of the tournament weekend
	In the other categories Daniel Vella Fondacaro emerged winner of the Open and Mario Genovese also clinched the title of the Veterans event. The titles in the Junior categories were won be Andrea Portelli in the Under 18 and Under 15 events and Matteo Mizzi in the Under 13. The Girls event was won by Therese Genovese and the Parents and Hobby players’ events were won by Paul Simonini and Raymond Galea respectively.     Hobby Players
The Table Tennis Academy would like to thank all who participated and donated to this noble cause especially the Malta Table Tennis Association together with MITTC, Aloysians TT Centre and PBC Coaching Clinic.

Full Results

Top10 - 1st Mario Genovese - 2nd Daniel Bajada
U18- 1st Andrea Portelli - 2nd James Dawson
U18 Plate - 1st Miguel Balzan - 2nd Chris Attard
U15 - 1st Andrea Portelli - 2nd Keith Vanhear
U13 - 1st Matteo Mizzi - 2nd Ryan Paul Camilleri
Girls - 1st Therese Genovese - 2nd Fleur Abela
Open - 1st Daniel Vella Fondacaro - 2nd Daniel Portelli - 3rd Andrea Portelli - 4th Kevin Abela
Hobby - 1st Ray Galea - 2nd Joseph Galea
Parents - 1st Paul Simonini - 2nd Anna Bajada
Veterans - 1st Mario Genovese - 2nd Alex Anastasi

more pics of the day in the photo gallery.....

Preparations for the Angie Bajada Fund Raising Weekend
14th April 2011

This Saturday sees the start of the much awaited Angie Bajada Table Tennis Fund raising event being organised by the Table Tennis Academy Malta at the Civil Service Sports Club in Archbishop Street, Valletta.

The Table Tennis Academy is organising a series of competitions that are suitable for all types of players in order to reach out to all the table tennis community. On Saturday Veterans and Hobby players kick off the event followed by Malta’s Junior table tennis players. Sunday will see the Under 18 event followed by the Open first division and second division with the culmination of the event in the afternoon where Malta’s Top 10 players meet up during TV coverage. In this event there is also Daniel Bajada, Angela’s brother battling it out for top spot.

TTA Annual Awards 2010
29th December 2010 - Presented during Annual Dinner