NEWS - 07-03-04 Training camp in Papendal, Netherlands, for the World Championships

The Dutch national coach Johan Ruijsink had contacted all european WC participants to invite them to a training camp in the Dutch Olympic Centre Papendal close to the city of Arnheim. Here, the organizers had prepared competition conditions as in Taipei and they wanted the Dutch participants to prepare with foreign opponents. The only ones who followed this invitation were I. Majid (GB), F. Petroni (ITA) and myself.

Unfortunately, I could only travel to Holland for two days, but this trip made really sense. Early in the morning, right after breakfast, the first session started. An hour break at noon and the second training and match session started. The second day, they inserted a round of gold on a 9 hole chip & put course and after diner, the third session was held until 22h30. After 10 hours exercise per day in the different disciplines (8-Ball, 9-Ball, One Pocket, Honolulu, 9-Ball Kick, 9-Ball with mandatory Push-out, Bank Pool etc.), we were pretty tired, but we all enjoyed it and it was a great preparation for the upcoming WC in Taipei, Taiwan.

I want to thank the organizers for the invitation and their hospitality and I hope that this was not the last training camp.
In any case, I would come again...