GTTA Year in Review

Dec 25, 2008 Sports

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By Edison Jefford
General Secretary of the usually exceptional Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe gave the association’s performance this year a 6 ½ out of 10 rating in a recent interview with Kaieteur Sport.
While he scratched the surface on the reasons for his judgement of the association’s form, the General Secretary was inclined to offer a more detailed depiction of how the GTTA performed in this Olympic year.
Below is a thorough report on the performance of the GTTA while Munroe’s assessments are highlighted in italics. This report is basically the association’s review of the year and testament to their need for improvement.
Highlights
“The National Championships was very exciting but needs to build on that in terms of getting more of the season players who reside overseas to play.
While Sydney Christophe, Paul David and Andy Anderson were the motivators in terms of incentives, the packages would have to become more attractive to give the tournament the prestige it deserves for the players.
Training of our 20 coaches from varying regions by Argentinean, Alejandro Gabaglio, who is a renowned ITTF Course Instructor, was one of the best ever training workshops and we will truly see the benefits.
We served off our Paralympic Programme which was a spring off from training workshop conducted by Ms. Gabaglio and have given a table to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre’s, Gibrain Hussein.”
Tournaments
Michael Vieira Sponsored Veterans Championships
Paul David Handicap Tournament
Netsurf Under–21 Open
West Indian Sports Complex Schools Championships
Junior Caribbean and Cadet Championships
Teach Them Young
Table for Schools and Communities Programme
Christ Church Secondary, Queens College, Mildred Mansfield, Linden, Malteenoes and Guyana Chronicle received one table each. Donation of racquets and balls were made to
Churches, Mandirs and Mosques across Guyana.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has made a commitment to sponsor 25 locally made tables for distribution to the schools and communities.
International Competitions
Puerto Rico Open
The Puerto Rican Open Scholarship contest allowed Mathew Khan, Christopher Franklin, Michelle John and Trenace Lowe to reach the quarter-final stage of this tournament involving players from around the world.
North American Teams in the USA
Performance of representative senior and junior players from Guyana was heartening and the performance good at the North American Team Championship.
Division 1: Sydney Christophe, Paul David, Idi Lewis and Shawn Embleton finished 13th among 153 teams.
Divison 3: Andrew Gosira, George Brathwaithe, Bruce Edwards and Wayne Gaskin
Division 8: Nigel Bryan spearheaded his with a win lost aggregate of 18–5
Division Twelve: Trenace Lowe
Division Twelve: Diane Chance
World Junior Circuit and World Championships Qualifier
The performances of Michelle John and Trenace Lowe at World Junior Circuit in Colombia and Junior World Championships qualifier was very impressive; they received World Rankings as a result and qualified for the Junior Pan American Championships in Halifax, Canada
Junior Commonwealth Games in Pune, India
Our players played competitively at the Junior Commonwealth Games; Lowe and John were seeded seventh and eight while Lowe reached the quarterfinals and eventually lost the championship, finishing fifth overall.
Michelle John Scholarship
“Michelle John landed a scholarship at Linewood University and departs on January 9, 2009; she represents the epitome of hard work, discipline, persistence, grit, determination and commitment, thus her reward is due. It is hoped that she would be available at intervals to play for Guyana in an effort to continue the Trenace Lowe combination. The duo is a force to reckon with in the world, thanks to sponsors Mings Products and Services.”
Equipment Grant from Stag–India–based
“One of the biggest achievements outside of the players’ performance was the brokering of the deal by Junior Vice President, Mr. Arron Fraser and the signing of the deal by President, Mr. Anil Nandlall. The grant is for 30 competition tables, nets and surrounds in 10 per year increments 30 national uniforms per year, 4 gross balls per year, provision of low cost tables at $200USD landed in Guyana.
This will enable us to truly develop the sport more domestically and free up resources to help enhance the sport and players position.”
Munroe stated that the association continues to enjoy a good working relationship with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission. He said that they were grateful for the Chinese coach.

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