AT the closing ceremony  of the 53rd Senior Regional Caribbean Table Tennis Championships last Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) received a gold medal for its excellent organisational skills. “Truly you have organised a competition with continental quality,” Juan Vila, Caribbean Table Tennis Federation’s president said.
He said the organisers of the next event which will be hosted by the Dominican Republic will certainly have to work hard to reach Guyana’s high standard.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the teams that competed in the events and stated that the quality of table tennis during the championship was splendid.
Countries that came out on top in the competition were the Dominican Republic in the first place, Trinidad and Tobago second and Guyana in third spot.
“It is remarkable that Guyana have got a bronze overall and came in third place. I think it is quite commendable, because going back one or two years we might not have thought, at the Caribbean level, that we could have placed so high.”
Minister Anthony recognised the GTTA for the work it has been doing and commended the body for making the championships  a success.
He stated that over the past years, Guyana has seen massive progress in terms of sports infrastructure and he sees no reason why a centre for tennis cannot be set up in the country.
“Mr Juan (Vila) in our preliminary discussions has told us he is willing to send some persons to work with our personnel to help develop their skills and this will be a positive thing for Guyana’s table tennis,” Minister Anthony said.
GTTA’s president, Henry Greene said the association had tremendous support from the ministry and businesses. However, he would like to see more people involved in tennis.
Sydney Prescott, a member of the Guyana team, also received a trophy and a ring as recognition for being one of the greatest athletes in table tennis in the Caribbean. His name will be written in the Hall of Fame of Caribbean tennis. (GINA)