JASWAN Seenarine and Ian Gomes emerged victorious in the ‘B’ and ‘C’ divisions when the Bartica Table Tennis Steering Committee (BTTSC) table tennis tournament was held earlier this week at the Bartica Community Centre.

The one-day event attracted over 20 local players and guest player Krystian Sahadeo, who also played with former junior national Azruddin Mohamed.

In the ‘B’ Class final, Seenarine defeated Tyrese Gomes with an intense, come-from-behind, 3-2 win.

Seenarine won 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5.

In the semi-finals, he had defeated Marcus McKenzie 3-1, while Gomes had defeated Rhyse Belle by a similar score.

Belle and McKenzie finished joint third.

In the ‘C’ Class, Ian Gomes defeated Zinedine DeSantas in straight sets 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.

Both finalists had registered comprehensive wins in the semi-finals. Gomes had eased past Jameel Seeram 3-0, while DeSantas had defeated Xephon Dutchin by a similar score.

The two losing semi-finalists finished joint third.

After the event, National table tennis coach Linden Johnson invited businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed and the Director of the Dawah and Education Department at CIOG, Sheik Moeen ul-Hack, to speak to the young players.

Johnson had coached Azruddin two decades ago and he had represented Guyana on the international stage.

According to a release from the BTTSC, “Team Mohamed wished the youngsters the very best and encouraged them to remain committed and dedicated to the sport.”

The Guyana Committee of Services, spearheaded by Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones and Joe Sahadeo, who were on site, made a monetary donation and presented playing uniforms to the Bartica Table Tennis Steering Committee.

A raffle was also held and a token of appreciation was given to coach Johnson.

The BTTSC also expressed gratitude to the Guyana Table Tennis Association president “Godfrey Munroe, Teacher Wendy, Rats Mining’s, GCOS, Super Gold and Pawn Shop and GTTA for their donation that made the difference”.