National TT team leaders intensify preparations

Apr 03, 2009 Sports

– parents, corporate community offer support

By Edison Jefford
Undoubtedly the leaders of the national cadet and junior table tennis team that will depart Guyana for the Caribbean Championships in Saint Kitts, Nigel Bryan and Trenace Lowe have intensified preparations at the Sports Hall.
Speaking to Kaieteur Sport yesterday, the top players and definite gold medal candidates said that they were both working on their weaknesses at practice sessions twice everyday ahead of their important regional assignment.
“I am training everyday for almost four hours. I am doing the multi–balls drill right now to strengthen my backhand,” Bryan informed, adding that his backhand is strong but the aim is to have it perform more consistently.
Bryan returns to the national team this year in the boys’ under–18 category after his gold medal performance last year in the under–15 singles event. He is adamant that he will be able to make a comfortable adjustment this year.
“I think I have a good chance because I defeated the number two seeded player from the island of Jamaica last year. I am just going to play tennis and do my best to win; I am not worrying about anyone,” the talented athlete said.
The 16–year–old Bryan, who has also campaigned in the United States, observed his role as one of the leaders on the team. He said that coaches, Linden Johnson and Donald Duff, are helping with his mental and physical preparation.
Bryan’s seasoned counterpart, Trenace Lowe, who won silver in the ladies’ 18 years and under singles event last year, indicated yesterday that she hopes that her training regiment will help her to be fully confident next week.
“We have Puerto Rico and Dominica Republic this year. It will be a difficult competition to win this year. I was training twice everyday for the past week. I hope by next week that I will be fully ready,” the outstanding female player said.
Lowe is a former National Sports Commission ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ in 2006 when all that she touched turned to gold and still is one of the youngest athletes to ever win the accolade. Her performances grew in the following years.
Apart from her silver medal last year, Lowe was half of the ladies’ doubles team that won that title to add to the ladies team award. She said that she is assiduously working on her backhand, currently, to have a wider variety of shots.
“I am working on my backhand. It is not as strong as my forehand. I am strengthening it and hopefully by the end of next week, everything will be good,” Lowe indicated, adding that she has great responsibility on this team.
The full compliment of 16 players, three coaches that include Johnson, Colin France and Munniram Persaud along with Deirdre Edghill as manager and delegate, is expected to depart Guyana around April 12 for the competition.
When contacted yesterday, Guyana Table Tennis Association General Secretary, Godfrey Munroe said that he is optimistic about the prospects of the team in light of the relatively new development as regards sponsorship of the team.
Munroe had revealed that funding was coming in at slow rates earlier this week. However he was optimistic yesterday that the entire team will be able to travel as a result of the athlete’s parents’ initiative and corporate support.
“We should make it through the parents’ effort and sponsors,” the General Secretary said in a brief comment. Additionally, Munroe validated the coaches on the tour when he said they are needed because of the amount of events.

Latest News

National TT team leaders intensify preparations

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Three more matches billed for this weekend

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Features/Columnists

“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

Partner v. investor

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

National TT team leaders intensify preparations

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]