Italian table tennis tactician Luciano Esposito is in town to lay a foundation for a long-term technical partnership with Kenya.
Luciano, a career banker, and financial adviser will go around the country to observe and impart valuable coaching skills to school-going children aspiring to make an indelible mark in the table tennis world.
In an interview, Luciano recounted his journey in the sport and his dream to guide young Kenyan players to qualify for Olympic and World Championships.
Luciano holds the opinion that Kenyan youngsters must strive to lift the standards of the game.
To achieve that, he said players must be passionate, punctual and committed in whatever they do.
Luciano started playing table tennis at the age of 14 on the outskirts of Rome town in Italy before moving to other sports.
He then made a comeback at the age of 25 but just played for three years before hanging up his bat. For Luciano, learning never stops; and from the time he ventured into coaching, he has traversed many parts of the globe on a noble mission to benchmark—and make friends.
“I felt playing wasn’t what I liked. So, I went into coaching early—and the rest is history. Every year, I think about improving my knowledge in table tennis by visiting various parts of the world to see what other people do to make the sport better and learn from them.”
“There is always a different mentality everywhere I go. It all depends on the education one receives. During my days, I was a middle-level table tennis player and I felt the essence was to pass on the knowledge to young people. So, whatever I have learned over the years, I want to pass it to youngsters and this is exactly why I am here.”
“So, it’s another new experience in Kenya and the essence is just to evaluate the level of playing here, what I can do for young players and the kind of adjustment I can give even if I am away. I believe coaches and players will benefit immensely from the hand-me-down knowledge,” said Luciano.
Luciano has been to West Africa especially Nigeria and Ghana severally and has worked with several players among them Nigerian fast-rising star, Mati Taiwo.
“I’m sure Kenyan players will not find my training boring as I’m a believer in doing something new every day, and not being tied to the same things time and time again.”
“My style is attack-based, but I also help players learn many other skills in the process. So, in this regard, physical exercise is paramount. I don’t know much about Kenya table tennis as much as I do in athletics and rugby."