ALL systems are in place for the hosting of the 53rd Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships of Central America and the Caribbean, to be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from this afternoon. Teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St Vincent, St Lucia, and St Kitts are here to compete at the championships. President Bharrat Jagdeo, Government officials, the Diplomatic community and representatives from other sporting fraternities are expected to attend the opening ceremony set for 14:15hrs today, followed by a reception later in the evening, which will feature live entertainment by international artistes who will be in the country to perform at the Jamzone Summer Break.
Apart from the presentation of trophies at the  closing ceremony on August 19, there will also be a packed programme of entertainment, again by artistes who will be performing at the various Jamzone events.
The games will commence at 09:00hrs daily for which tickets costing $500 are available at the Sports Hall as well as at Wireless Connections.
The various categories for competition  include: men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s and women’s doubles, Under-21 male and female, and the veteran tournament for both male and female, by renowned, seasoned table tennis players.
Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, who is also president of the GTTA, said that Guyanese can look forward to a high level of table tennis. The GTTA has embarked on several fund-raising activities such as barbecues, take-away lunches and bingo competitions.
Meanwhile, among  the players  listed to represent Guyana are: Nigel Bryan, Christopher Franklyn, Edinho Lewis and Paul Meusa in the Men’s team, while Chelsea Edghill, Trenace Lowe, Michelle John and Jody-Ann Blake form part of the Women’s team.
The teams for this year’s Caribbean Championships in the respective categories are as follows:
Men’s Team: Paul David, Idi Lewis, Christopher Franklin, Nigel Bryan,  Edinho Lewis, Paul Meusa, Joel Alleyne, Dwayne Dick and Hewley Griffith.
Women’s Team: Trenace Lowe, Michelle John, Jody Ann Blake, Natalie Cummings, Akeish Nedd, Chelsea Edghill, Ambrose Thomas  and Adielle Rushevelle.
Under-21 Men: Nigel Bryan; Brad Belle; Brandon Belle, Warren Hackshaw and Denzel Hopkinson.
Under-21 Women: Trenace Lowe; Michelle John; Chelsea Edghill.
Veteran Male: Patrick Triumph; Xenopiah Goliah; Marlon Washington; Colin France; Raynor Anderson and Desiree Lancaster the lone female in the veteran division.
National champion Godfrey Munroe is named as head coach and will have support on the coaching roster from national coach Linden Johnson, Andrew Daly and Raynor Anderson.