THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) recently announced its intention to send representative teams to several Regional and International championships during the months of June and July.According to a release from the association, it intends sending teams to the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Championships set for Barbados from June 2 to 9, as well as the Puerto Rico World Junior and Cadet Open ITTF Junior Circuit event which will be held from June 19 to 2.
The GTTA also plans to send a team to the Latin American Table Tennis Championships, billed for June 23-29.
Martinique will host the Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships from July 2 to 9 and the GTTA plans on being represented at this one also.
Surprisingly, however, is the exclusion of top players Christopher Franklin and Paul David from the men’s team, as well as the inclusion of former Caribbean Girls singles champion Michelle John to the women’s squad.
John has been inactive locally for several years.
Players shortlisted for the Caribbean Pre-Cadet tournament in Barbados are: Boys 11 years and under – Kaysan Ninvalle, Colin Wong, Kristian Sahadeo, Baoxiana Liu, Dhanesh Persaud, Christopher Shepherd, Aaron Persaud, Paul Bess and Alexander DeAbreu.
Girls 11 years and under – Ciera Sukhu, Thuraia Thomas and Chelsea Hutson.
Boys 13 years and under – Tyriq Saunders, Jonathan Findlay, Niron Bissu, Shakiel Lewis, Jamal Nicholas and Yeudister Persaud.
Girls 13 years and under – Neveah Clarkston, Selenas Jackman and Abigail martin.
Players named for training and possible selection for the championships in Puerto Rico as well as the Latin American championships are: Boys 18 years and under – Shemar Britton, Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson, Jamaal Duff, Alex Hopkinson, Sheldon Atherley, Miguel Wong, Jermey Singh, Yog Mahadeo and Nicholas Romain.
Girls 18 years and under – Chelsea Edghill, Priscilla Greaves, Kristie Lopes, Aneka Phillips, Jamaali Homer, Davonna Bess and Britanny Bumbury.
Squads to prepare for the Senior Caribbean Championships are: (Men’s) Shemar Britton, Nigel Bryan, Edinbo Lewis, Stephan Corlette, Kyle Edghill, Orin Hickerson, Joel Alleyne, Elishaba Johnson, Brad Bell and Brandon Belle.
(Women’s) Trenace Lowe, Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Akecia Nedd and Michelle John.