MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony last Saturday declared the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) organized National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsored Republic table tennis championships open at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Dr. Anthony stated how happy he was to see the large turnout along with the vast improvement and resurgence in the sport since Commissioner of Police Henry Greene took over the reins.
He stated that he is very pleased that the GTTA has a developmental programme for the young upcoming players, and complimented the president and his board of executive for the outstanding work they have done.
Dr. Anthony also took the time to wish the participants best of luck in the tournament and stated that he hopes they all play fair as it is the key to winning. 
In his remarks, Greene welcomed the participants and stated that the GTTA is on the move to spread the sport throughout Guyana, stating that Berbice is currently preparing to host their first table tennis tournament after a period of dormancy in the Ancient County.
Greene thanked the NSC for their contributions towards the development of table-tennis in Guyana and stated that he hopes they will continue to support the association.
Meanwhile, results coming out of the first two days of competition played on Friday and Saturday showed Nevaeh Clarkston, Niron Bissu, Selenas Jackman and Jeremey Singh picked up titles in the Under-8 and Under-10 boys and girls category respectively.

In the Under-8 division, Clarkston defeated Akeela Ralph 11-1, 11-2 to take the Girls final, while Bissu defeated Leyon O’Brien 9-11,11-6,11-8,11-8 11-2 to take the Boy’s title with Kalfanni Yaw defeaitng Osei Joseph 11-9, 15-13, 11-7 for third in the Boy’s division.

In the Girl’s Under-10 round robin play off, Jackman defeated Clarkston 3-1, Priyanna Ramdhani 3-0 and Jennifer Zhou 3-0, with Clarkston taking second place after she defeated Ramdhani 3-0 and Zhou 3-0, while Ramdhani took third with her 3-0 defeat over Zhou.

Jeremy Singh defeated Amit Mookram 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 to take the Boys Under-10 title, with Khalil Ninvalle stealing third place in that category from Akeem Forester whom he defeated 11-4, 12-10, 11-7.

On Saturday, 2010 Junior Sportswoman of the Year Chelsea Edghill suffered an upset defeat to Akeicia Nedd in the Girl’s Under-18 final, losing 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 8-11 and 9-11 in an enthralling five set encounter.

Priscilla Greaves defeated Jamaali Homer at 11-7, 11-9, 11-6 to take the Girls Under-13 title, with third place going to Kristie Lopes who defeated Jackman 13-11, 11-6, 11-2.

In the Boys Under-13 final, Kyle Edghill defeated Elishaba Johnson at 11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, as the third place went to Khalid Gobin who defeated Shammer Beaton 15-13, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7.

Chelsea Edghill rebounded to defeat Jamaali Holder 11-7, 11-1, 11-8 to take the Girls Under-15 title with the third spot going to Priscilla Greaves after she defeated Jewel Todd at 11-6, 11-8, and 11-3.

Jamaal Duff took the Boys Under-15 title from Sunil Logan after defeating him 8-11,11-9,11-7,11-13,11-2, third place went to Stefan Corlette who defeated Kyle Edghill 5-11,11-9,11-5,11-7.

The Under-18 boys quarter finals which will see Nigel Bryan, Samuel Fraser, Brandon Baldie, Denzel Hopkinson and brothers Jamaal Duff and Denzel Duff vying for supremacy, will serve at the same venue on Saturday, while the tournament will continue on Friday with the senior mixed and men and women doubles from 16:30hrs.