SIXTEEN-year-old Mackenzie High School female table tennis player Narrissa King walked away with the individual 9-16 years crown while her sister Narriann King and McAnden Bacchus and won the Girls 5-9 and the Boys 5-9 titles respectively to bring down the curtain on the two-week Linden Table Tennis Committee’s Summer Table Tennis Camp last Friday.These competitions were organised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-certified Level One coaches Howard James and Shavin Green and were played at the Mackenzie High School’s auditorium.
Narissa King, the lone female player in the 9-16 category, was grouped with the boys and she played outstandingly to emerge from her group and enter the semifinals where she disposed of Jonathan Copeland and faced Anthony Albert in the final. Albert won his semifinal against Franklin Kingston and played a five-setter before losing to his female opponent.
Narissa King had taken the first two sets at 6 against Albert who bounced back and won the third set 11-9 but was unable to tie things up as she went down to King 11-6 in the fourth set, losing by a 3-1 score-line.
McAnden Bacchus won his final against Teron Layne 11-8, 11-8 to be victorious among the Boys 5-9 category. Pint-size Ebo McNeil was a crowd favourite and played well to take the third spot in this category as he was the showman during the entire competition.
In the three-way contest involving Narriann King, Tishara Nunes and Jendayi Chapman. Narriann emerged the top player after defeating both Nunes and Chapman in straight sets. Playing unbeaten Narriann King won against Nunes 11-6, 11-6 and defeated Chapman 11-7, 11-4. Nunes then had wins over Chapman 11-8, 11-9.
Coach Shavin Green at the presentation ceremony said there will be follow-up sessions and noted, “We saw a lot of talent … and they made new friends.”
The other coach Howard James thanked all the parents and well-wishers who supported the programme, saying it meant a lot for the participants and promised a follow-up programme.
Green said he had worked with Narrissa King before and she worked hard for her win in the tournament.
He mentioned the sponsors who supported the programme and identified beverage giant Banks DIH through its Malta Supreme brand for donating the various trophies; Cozabs’ Auto Spares and Majors Trophy Store for the racquets donated as well as the Guyana Table Tennis Association for providing racquets and balls and the barriers and Fabulous Sports for racquets and balls as well as Victor Wright who gave bottles.
Additional coaching assistance was provided by Jemaine Reid, Maurice Cummings, Sekou Joseph and Troy Stephens.
The winners as well as second- and third-place finishers received trophies and bottles while Narrissa King collected a racquet also for her victory.
Other participants who did well and were rewarded were Romel Paul, Kester Albert, Raven Jones and Jonathan McAlmont. Each child also received a Certificate of Attendance.

By Joe Chapman