THE 14-member team to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) Pre-Junior (15 and under) (Cadet) and Junior (18 and under) Table Tennis Championships is scheduled to depart for St Kitts and Nevis on Saturday.

Team Guyana, who are the defending champions, hosted this tournament last year and did well carting off a number of medals which included six gold, four silver and five bronze.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday head coach of the Guyanese team, Linden Johnson, disclosed that this tournament is of crucial importance since it is the qualifier for the Latin American Table Tennis Championships, which in turn serves as the qualifier for the World Championships.

Johnson said that the team was chosen based on the individual performances, along with a number of other criteria including the players’ adaptability and suitability to play in international competitions, based on the strength of the opposing teams.

“This year the competition will be stiffer since Puerto Rico who were absent from last year’s tournament will be making their return,” said Johnson who believes that Puerto Rico’s immense amount of exposure makes them formidable opponents.

“We have been training twice daily trying to fine-tune our tactics and mental skills,” Johnson added. The pre-junior (cadet) members are Stephan Patoir, Samuel Fraser, Dellon Mahadeo, Denzel Duff, Adeille Rosheuvel, Chelsea Edghill, Akiecia Nedd and Priscilla Greaves. The junior team comprises Nigel Bryan, Denzel Hopkinson, Brandon Baldie, Trean Phillips, Trenace Lowe and Varsha Panday.

On Tuesday Trenace Lowe received sponsorship from P&P’s General Manager Bish Panday, while Nigel Bryan was on the waiting list to receive his.

The event, which will be held at the Marriott Pavilion in Frigate Bay, St Kitts, features events for teams, doubles and singles competition.

So far nine territories namely Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis (the host nation), Barbados, Curacao, and St Lucia have confirmed their participation in the tournament this year. (Storme Moore)