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| Studies First For
Kuwait Star |
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An ITTF Pro Tour event in the Gulf area of the World gives
players from those countries a chance to measure their
progress, a chance to play against opposition from the
traditionally strong countries in the sport and a chance to
learn from the very best; that is the situation for Ibrahim
Al Hasan.
He is the leading player in the Gulf area and at the Kuwait
International Open Salwa Cup he is on home soil and is
looking forward to the challenge.
Ibrahim Al Hasan, Kuwait's leading player
Ibrahim Al Hasan is a right handed topspin player in the
European mode; at the ITTF World Junior Circuit event in
Dubai in 2004 he reached the quarter-final stage of the
Boys’ Singles event, in 2005 in Beirut he finished in third
place in the Arab Cup and he has been on duty for Kuwait at
four World Championships. He was present in Eindhoven in
1999, in Osaka in 2001, in Doha in 2004 and in Shanghai in
2005.
Priority
Playing on the ITTF Pro Tour is a tough task for Ibrahim Al
Hasan; his opponents are likely to be more experienced in
international play and more accustomed to competing in
matches were pressure can dictate the verdict. At the
moment, for Ibrahim Al Hasan, studying must take a priority.
Nineteen years old, he is a student at High School where he
is studying Mathematics, Science, History and Languages; a
demanding programme in its own right even without trying to
achieve excellence in sport.
Preference
“Mathematics is the subject that I prefer”, explained
Ibrahim Al Hasan. “I want to play as much table tennis as
possible but with my studies I can only really practice six
hours a week.” The dream he harbours is undoubtedly to be a
professional table tennis player and perhaps when the
current course is complete he can consider the option of
spending some time abroad should the chance arise.
Furthermore, it may be possible for him to make an agreement
with a future employer to help sponsor such a venture.
Nevertheless, his immediate thoughts are on the Kuwait
International Open Salwa Cup where he is in the first round
of the main draw and he welcomes the fact that the ITTF Pro
Tour has come to his country. “I’m ready to play, I’m
looking forward to playing, I’m prepared”, he explained in
determined mood. “Having the ITTF Pro Tour in Kuwait is a
really good chance for our players, we can watch the best
play, we can learn a great deal.”
Play More
It is an opportunity but of course for someone like Ibrahim
Al Hasan to go further the option of training in one of the
hotbeds of table tennis is undoubtedly his hope for the
future. “I really do want to play in more ITTF Pro Tour
tournaments, here in the Gulf it’s limiting”, he explained.
The problem for the teenager is that he is the best player
in the region, the chance to train regularly with better
players would be a boost, it would enhance his progress and
at the moment, in his view, travel would seem to be the
prime option.
“I would like to play outside the region in more ITTF Pro
Tour tournaments”, he said. “It would be good to play in the
ITTF Pro Tour tournaments in Europe.”
The chance may well arise in the future; he is a determined
young man who could well prove to be player who in the next
few years can achieve on the international scene. If he can,
then not only will he reap benefits but so will Kuwait and
the Gulf area, Ibrahim Al Hasan will prosper and so will
table tennis.
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