… Two-day workshop set for January 23, 24
NATIONAL Coach of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Linden Johnson has made it expressly clear that addressing the state of umpiring on the local scene is among the issues atop the GTTA’s agenda which are meant to improve the state of table tennis for 2010.

It is the opinion that a more strict approach to enforcing the rules and stamping out disreputable behaviour is an integral component needed for the progression of the sport on the local scene.

As such a two-day workshop which is set to take place on January 23 and 24 will serve as a pre-emptive strike to better qualify the individuals currently serving in that capacity.

Johnson however revealed that the ultimate goal of the association is to have the Chief Umpire from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) visit Guyana to host another workshop that will provide the participants with accreditation from the international body.

Johnson said that it is only logical to have umpires who are accredited by the ITTF, as the GTTA has adopted the international system set down by the world governing body. The workshop will not only serve to qualify the local umpires but it should also serve to rectify the problem of inactivity of the umpires as Johnson made it clear that they are not as motivated as they should be.

One remedy that was identified is the GTTA’s intention to establish an official association to govern and better organise the activities of the umpires. “We wish to get a panel going to get the umpires more organised,” Johnson said.

The basics of the sport will be the focus of the impending workshop as the fundamental rules, administration of punitive measures and also pre-match duties such as inspecting the play area and apparatus are on the itinerary for the upcoming tutorial.