KARACHI, Oct 21: The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) is set to embark on a country-wide comprehensive talent hunt and coaching programme which begins from Oct 30.

Colts, cadets, juniors and seniors would undergo strenuous grooming by the PTTF appointed ITTF Level I coaches, a PTTF announcement said on Saturday.

The first phase which runs from Oct 30 to Dec 17 will be followed by another four phases from Jan 1 to 14, Feb 12 to 24, June 4 to 16 and July 2 to 21.

In addition to supervising the basis coaching programme, two national coaches – Arif Khan and Irfanullah will carry out another assignment of advance coaching from March to Sept next. This is aimed at preparing top ranking players for World, Commonwealth and Asian juniors and seniors’ events.

PTTF also plans to hire a foreign coach to support the national coaches in its endeavour.

Following are the venues, name of coaches and strength of camp trainees.

Islamia Club, Karachi (Zulfiqar Ahmed) 96.

Barkatbhai Hall, Hyderabad (Adnan Leghari) 32.

NSTCC Quetta (Haji Ejaz) 32.

Shaikh Zaid Hall Rahimyar Khan (Ikramul Haq) 56.

Iqbal Park Lahore (Asim Qureshi, Kashif Razzak) 64.

Hamidi Hall Islamabad. (Nadeem Sajid) 56.

NSTCC Peshawar (Azher Khan) 48.