Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
National Table Tennis Championships loom
THEY WILL NOT BE TEAMMATES FROM THIS WEEKEND!!! Some of Guyana’s leading table tennis players from left Paul David, Natalie Cummings, Idi Lewis, Michelle John and Christopher Franklin will be vying for individual supremacy when the National Table Tennis Championships serve off.
– Scene set for biggest, fiercest rivalries
By Edison Jefford
After what can be described as one of the most intense periods for local table tennis players, the season will close with the much-anticipated National Table Tennis Championships, which is set to commence on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
After a two-year hiatus, the most renowned and coveted competition in local table tennis returns to the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in what is expected to be a high-profiled rivalry for over 20 titles that will be up for grabs in the event.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission had joined in the bandwagon to see the Championships return after it disappeared under the former administration of local table tennis, which was changed at elections this year.
In his first presentation as the new president of the GTTA, Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, had indicated that the Championships would have returned before the year ends. It was one of the benchmark events that association envisioned.
So after months of planning, overseas and local engagements for players, the ultimate test that will decide the crème de le crème of Guyanese players will emerge from this weekend with the sole aim of settling the score among those who will compete.
Kaieteur Sport understands that defending Men’s Singles Champion, Godfrey Munroe has been working feverishly behind the scenes to stage a title defence. Munroe was seen visiting the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on several occasions to work out.
When Munroe won in 2008, he defeated a field that included the still active Christopher Franklin and Mathew Khan, who is now inactive. Franklin among a horde of overseas-based players will be competing against Munroe two years later for the title.
Among those players scheduled to compete in the Men’s Singles competition are United States of America-based Paul David, Idi Lewis, Brandon and Brad Belle. The senior Men and Women competitions will commence on the following weekend.
Defending Women’s Singles Champion, Michelle John, who is on a table tennis scholarship in the United States, has not yet confirmed her availability. However, her arch-rival, Trenace Lowe, who is also US-based, is scheduled to compete in the tournament.
This newspapers understands that the association went at lengths to ensure that all its locally and overseas-based players were invited for the Championships, which is expected to attract lucrative cash prizes along with other incentives including trophies.
So far the event has received major corporate support from Banks DIH under its Banks Light and Sprite brands. There will be a formal announcement of Banks commitment toward the event, but Kaieteur Sport is aware that the company is a major sponsor.
Some of the categories to be contested include: Boys 10 years and under; Girls 10 years and under; Boys 13 years and under; Girls 13 years and under; Boys 15 years and under; Girls 15 years and under; Boys 18 years and under; Girls 18 years and under.
Cadet Boys and Girls Doubles; Junior Boys and Girls doubles, Cadet and Juniors Mixed doubles; 21 years and under Boys and Girls; Men’s Singles; Women’s Singles; Men’s Doubles; Women’s Doubles; Senior Mixed Doubles; “B” Class Open; Masters 45 Years and Over; 50 years and over; 55 years and over and 60 years and over.
The rules and regulations that will govern the Championships include: the player (s) that win the first three games will be declare the winner; the tournament will be played under the current ITTF rules–11-point game; best of five games; two points alternate serve.
Players are required to submit their names by Friday; the GTTA will arrange knock-up time for players leading up to the tournament; the fixtures and draws will be done on Friday. There will be and entrance fee and no late entry will be accepted.
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