TT enthusiasts greet John in the US

Jan 22, 2009 Sports

Fund collected for top athlete

Michelle John (centre, third from right) poses with some of the enthusiast that turned out to greet her in New York on her way to Linwood University in Missouri, United States of America. National Players, Paul David, (back row, left) and Sydney Christophe (back row, centre) are also in this photo.

By Edison Jefford
A handful of Table Tennis (TT) enthusiasts greeted Guyana’s Michelle John in New York on Sunday as the partial scholarship athlete was in transit on her way to Linwood University, Missouri in the United States.
In an email sent to the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and forwarded to Kaieteur Sport, former national player, Sydney Christophe said that many of the persons present braved inclement weather to see John.
“Table Tennis players in New York City braved the cold and wintry weather to say hello to one of Guyana’s top ping pong players, Michelle John” a statement from the email said, adding that the meeting occurred Sunday.
In addition, the document stated that a fund was collected for the athlete while words of greeting and advice were extended to the young John, who is a double National Sports Commission Sportswoman of the Year.
“The players generously contributed to this young star’s journey with words of advice and a fund collected at the event was handed to her by former national champion, Sydney Christophe,” the brief email said in closure.
GTTA General Secretary, Godfrey Munroe told this newspaper yesterday that the gesture was a fitting tribute to the athlete after her sacrifices to procure the scholarship. He said that John deserved every moment of the event.
“I think its extremely fitting, it’s commendable and I want to thank the guys up thereshe deserved it,” Munroe said, adding that it was not a planned occasion for the association but rather a spontaneous gathering.
Asked if the association has officially heard from the athlete, Munroe responded with a resounding “yes”, adding that there is a good support mechanism in place for John with her father, Owen John accompanying her to the US.
“Her father is up there, so he would help with her settling inthere is a good support mechanism in placeshe is a matured thinker so I don’t think she would have a problem,” the GTTA General Secretary held. Mings Products and Services Limited had facilitated the other expenses related to John’s partial scholarship.
The company has a deep history in supporting local athletes in their vision of achieving the highest level.

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