–Corporal Nigel Bryan’s journey to sporting excellence

WHERE childhood games turned into life-long passions, a young Nigel Bryan found himself rallying a table tennis ball under the family’s bottom house.
What started as a pastime with friends and relatives quickly turned into a passion which enabled him to achieve international championships, and now, an ‘eight-week Sports Scholarship’ at Jain University in India, thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports.
The 32-year-old corporal, who was enlisted in the Guyana Police Force in 2011, has mastered the art of balancing duty and ambition.
He’s currently stationed at the Central Immigration and Passport Office and is attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. But beyond his uniform, Bryan is a dedicated table tennis coach, a three-time National Men’s Champion, and a well-respected athlete whose name is etched in Guyana’s sports history.

A LEGACY ROOTED IN PASSION
Bryan’s love for table tennis took root early. His years at Gamaliel Academy only strengthened his dedication to the sport under the guidance of his Physical Education teacher, Mr. Muniram Persaud.
In 2006, in his very first international competition held in Trinidad and Tobago, Bryan took centre stage with a Championship Title victory. It was the prelude to an illustrious career, which gave him the opportunity to travel the world. Some of the places that he visited included Australia, China, Colombia, Europe, and the Caribbean countries, where he represented Guyana proudly and continuously.
Over the past 14 years, Corporal Bryan has held a national record as the youngest National Men’s Champion in Guyana. His career has also seen him compete in major events, including the Commonwealth Games, CARICOM tournaments and the Ireland Games.

DEDICATION BEYOND THE GAME
Juggling the responsibilities of a police officer and a national athlete is no easy feat. For Bryan, the key lies in time management and dedication.
“I use most of my leisure time for training,” he shared, emphasising that discipline is what keeps him at the top of his game.

His selection for the Jain University Sports Scholarship is the fruition of years of hard work, perseverance, and exemplary performance, but beyond personal accomplishment, he sees this opportunity as a chance to inspire and uplift young athletes.
His goal is to keep table tennis alive within the Guyana Police Force in general and the nation at large, using his experience, skills, and knowledge to mentor the next generation.

Corporal Bryan has one simple yet powerful message to anyone who aspires to follow in his footsteps: “Believe in achieving your goals and ensure you motivate yourself.”
Corporal Bryan departed Guyana last Friday, February 28, 2025, to embark on this amazing chapter in his career, expanding his knowledge and abilities in the sport he loves. His story is one of both national pride and personal success, demonstrating that anything is possible with hard work and self-belief. (Report by CCU’s Corporal Ayana Williams)