THE Mini and Pre-Cadet Championship currently underway in Georgetown, Guyana transcends the actual tournament and plays a critical role in re-establishing the sport in the lives of young players in the region, President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, stated yesterday.

At the opening ceremony, Munroe said that the event was needed after a lull in the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also credited the teams that travelled for overcoming their challenges and pointed to the need to work as a unit to grow the sport.

“With that kind of fortitude moving forward, as a region, we will be able to build Caribbean table tennis to where it use to be and even further.”
Munroe said that in terms of Guyana it was important to host the tournament because 32 young players are getting the needed opportunity and exposure.

He said that the young developing players are the future of the sport.
The hosting and participation in the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) event was also lauded by the Competition’s Director, Vasdev Bob Roopnarine, who spoke about the phenomenal costs of tickets and the difficulty of travel.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, credited Munroe with “a never-say-die attitude” to make the tournament a reality.

HOME FOR TABLE TENNIS
He said that the government will be working on getting a home for table tennis.
“Very soon, table tennis would be having its own home in Guyana.” Some 13 contractors have already bid to construct the building, which will be housed at the Racquet Centre.

Ninvalle added that the government is committed to the development of sport and young people.
Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson, spoke about the importance of sport and education and about enhancing all-round health.

“We are concerned with creating rounded students, if you’re going to be rounded, it is not just mathematics, social studies and science…it is also participating in a particular sport so that your brain, your mind and your discipline and everything about you could develop.”

The Mini and Pre-Cadet Championship has attracted a number of regional English speaking nations, including Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia, T&T and Barbados.
The event is expected to continue today and run until Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.