SANDRA Riettie and Dale Parham were both appointed head and assistant national coaches, respectively, it was announced at press conference of Table Tennis Jamaica (TTJ) at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) office on Thursday.

At the function, JOA boss Christopher Samuda said his organisation will be injecting $1.7 million into TTJ’s coaching programme for the 2019-2020 period.

Ryan Foster, chief executive officer of JOA, said the financial assistance will go directly into covering salaries.

“Today (Thursday), we have gathered to announce the support of the JOA to Table Tennis Jamaica through the provision of funds intended to pay coaches to manage the national team and this was facilitated through the coaching programme offered by the International Olympic (IOC) Solidarity Commission,” he said.

“We commend the TTJ board, under the leadership of Godfrey Lothian, for their commitment to the development of the sport and we pledge our continued support to the sport,” Foster added.

Meanwhile, JOA president Samuda congratulated both coaches and charged them to spearhead the development of table tennis and to preserve it for future generations.

“We encourage you both to do well as national coaches as we provide the funding so that you can develop the sport and players for the next generation,” Samuda said.

Riettie and Parham have taken over the reins from Japanese coach Satoshi Takashima, whose contract ended in January..

Riettie is a former Jamaica representative and also former many-time women’s singles champion.

Parham, meanwhile, currently coaches both Wolmer’s Boys’ School and St Andrew Prepatory. Before that he coached at St John The Baptist Prep in 2005, YMCA in 2006, St George’s College in 2008. He is also a former national player.

Recently returned TTJ president Lothian thanked the JOA for its assistance. He also also congratulated the two new national coaches.

—Gerald Reid