Latest update April 4th, 2025 12:14 AM
GTTA holds successful one day Table Tennis coaching session in Berbice
Participants during the GTTA session in Berbice last weekend.
By Samuel Whyte
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) successfully held a one day coaching clinic in Berbice on Saturday at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMS).
The clinic which is the first of a series of such sessions to be held in Berbice was conducted by National coaches Colin France and Ray ‘Copter ‘Anderson and saw some 29 persons participating. The sessions are all part of the GTTA aim to spread the game countrywide. Berbice, with its rich history in the game, has taken the initiative and is making full use of the GTTA plans.
The sessions are mostly for school children, but adults are welcome to attend. Of the 29 participants five were adults with the rest being school children with most of the schools in and around New Amsterdam being represented.
It is being held in an effort to revitalize the game in the ancient county and to prepare the players for the Berbice open championship which is slated for Wednesday February 16 at the Port Mourant Training Centre.
Apart from the two national coaches, the players were assisted by Berbician based former women’s champion Desiree Lancaster, Floyd Conway and Brentnol Richards. The session which began at 10:00 hrs ended at 14:00hrs. The coaches were accompanied by GTTA vice president Harold Hopkinson.
The beginners were taught the basics of the game which included fitness drills, forehand and backhand skills, the multi ball drill and other appropriate fun activities. The sessions will continue next Saturday and will be conducted by Anderson and Aaron Daley.
Meanwhile, plans for the Berbice open Pre Mashramani tournament are moving full stream ahead. The tournament, which is open to only Berbicians and will be played in three categories U13, U18 and Open for both males and females, has seen over 60 entries so far.
President of the GTTA Commissioner of Police Henry Green has throwing his full weight behind the expansion and developmental programme. Most of the trophies and other incentives for the one day tournament have already being sourced.
The GTTA will also be ferrying most of their officials along with equipment including tables, racquets and balls to the venue.
The Berbice interim body is headed by Floyd Conway and includes Gibran Hussein, Desiree Lancaster, Ian Amsterdam, Jairam Ramlakhan, Brentnol Richards, and Levan Buchey. Businessman and former Mayor Errol Alphonso is assisting in an Advisory capacity and Samuel Whyte with Public Relations.
Commissioner Green is expected to be at the launching of the Berbice tournament. Outstanding performers will be selected to participate in the Mashramani tournament later in the month in Georgetown.
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