AT what was described as a memorable moment for table tennis on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) last Sunday, president of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Henry Greene, said his body will extend its hands to the newly formed Steering Committee. Greene commended the committee for their vigour, vision and determination to develop the sport of table tennis in the area and pledged his association’s support in assisting them in every way possible.
He was at the time addressing the opening of the first ECD open tournament which took place at the Plaisance Community Centre with over 30 participants competing in three categories, following the inauguration of the Steering Committee.
Also present were Regional Chairman of Region Four Clement Corlette, General Secretary of the GTTA Godfrey Munroe, GTTA’s tournament coordinator Linden Johnson and other executives.
The East Coast Demerara Table Tennis Steering Committee members are Dr Pradeep Balram vice-president GTTA, Yadram Rajkumar, Balkissoon, Andrew Miller, Joseph Benjamin, Xenophon Goliah and Morton Blake.
During the brief remarks given by Benjamin, a number of positive projects were highlighted to help develop the sport.
Benjamin noted that the concept was first visualised during their weekend session which was hosted at the home of Rajkumar and the group began working feverishly to establish the Steering Committee.
According to Benjamin, they previously hosted three schools training and coaching clinics in the East Coast area which were successful, with the fruits of their hard labour being exhibited during the tournament.
Greene expressed his gratitude on behalf of the GTTA and told those gathered that the GTTA will assist in every possible way to spread its wings in developing the sport throughout Guyana.
He outlined the governing body’s activities and shared experiences in successful development programmes conducted by the association and called for support from the Regional Administration of Region Four.
In his brief remarks, Corlette congratulated Greene for his contribution to the GTTA and the sport in general and recalled visiting a regional tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where he saw a young talented Venezuelan female player dominate the women’s category, something that left him amused.
He noted that after that experience, his interest in the sport increased but he was not able to make a meaningful contribution, but revealed that the region has launched its youth and sports committee and will establish the link between the ECDTTA and that organisation to coordinate activities for the development of the sport and the youths on the East Coast.
Secretary of the GTTA Godfrey Munroe outlined the day’s tournament to the participants and coaches, in which Stefan Cummings won the Under-18 category with Zane Humphrey and Vikash Horil in second and third place respectively.
The Open Singles category was won by Joel Alleyne from Natalie Cummings and Hewley Griffith in that order, while Xenophon Goliah took the Masters category away from Joseph Benjamin and Morton Blake. The presentation of prizes will be done at Olympic House tomorrow, commencing at 17:00hrs. (Mark Bradford).