Table Tennis returns to Ancient County with a bang

Feb 18, 2011 Sports

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Differently Able Gibran Hussein is the champ; Minister & GTTA Boss impressed

By Samuel Whyte
Differently Able Table Tennis Wonder Gibran ‘Gibby’ Hussein defied the odds to defeat his Able rivals to win the Berbice Open Table Tennis tournament held by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) to re-launch the sport in Berbice on Sunday last at the Port Mourant Training School, Corentyne.
The tournament which lived up to all expectations and to some surpassed theirs was witnessed by the Honorable Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and GTTA President, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene DSM who were both expressed delight with what they witnessed.
Over 80 entries were received for the one-day activity which saw play in three categories Under-15, 18 and open which attracted 51 entries.
The winners in each category received 50,000 and trophy while second and third place received $30,000 and $20,000 and trophies respectively. There were also prizes of $40,000 and trophy for the Most Outstanding Player. Two other momentary awards were presented to the Most Talented player and Fair Play.
Hussein, who hails from Skeldon is also a national coach and a committee member of the GTTA and Berbice Steering Committee, lost his left arm in a motor vehicle accident. This disability did not deter him from serving his way to the overall title as he defeated former national nine-time female champion Desiree Lancaster in the final 3-1 (11-7 11-8 12-10 11- 4).
Earlier in semi final play Hussein got the better of Richard Bacchus 3-1 while Lancaster had to call on all her experience in a tough battle, coming from behind to upstage underdog Omraj Singh 3-2, winning the final set 12-10 after coming from two games down. In the 3rd place game, Bacchus got the better of Singh 3-0. Singh had earlier upset Floyd Conway in the quarter final round, 3-1. In the Under 18 category New Amsterdam Multilateral School fielded all four players in the semi finals. Bryton Murray emerged the winner with a 3-1 win over Joshua Lalbachan. Earlier Murray won against Jamal Butts 3-0 while Lalbachan got the Denison Mentore 3-1.
The U15 category saw one male and four females participating in the round-robin format which saw 10-year-old Jordan Conway playing unbeaten to come out victorious ahead of Genene Kellman, Anita Alleyene and Joylyn Conway.
Hussein was adjudged the Most Outstanding Player on show; Most Talented Player was 17-year-old Sherwin Mahadeo, who took Lancaster to five games before bowing 12-10 in the final set with 15-year-old Julian collecting the Fair Play award.
Dr Anthony in declaring the activity open congratulated the GTTA especially its President Commissioner Greene for the foresight in taking the game to other parts of the country in such a short time after being given the assurance by Greene. The Minister noted that GTTA has staged over 10 tournaments to date.
Speaking to an audience of over 250 persons the Minister said that the GTTA was not like some other organisations that call themselves National Associations, but are only focused in Georgetown. “There is no effort being made by these associations to spread the game in the country. Table Tennis and sports in general needs to be decentralized. Some games are only played in Georgetown but must be taken to all schools and regions. Some associations are battling in court instead of doing something constructive.”
The Minister stated that he was very impressed with what he saw and also congratulated the Berbice Steering Committee for the excellent work done is the short space of time. He urged the GTTA and the Steering Committee to make the activity annual.
Minister Anthony also challenged the Berbice body to step up to the plate and organise a school tournament while assuring that his Ministry will donate all the trophies and prizes necessary.
The minister was told that the next programme planned by the Sub Association will be at the inter-school level for Easter. The minister said that the ministry looking forward to the contribution of table tennis to the national strategic plan for sports. He mentioned that over 35 Table Tennis Boards were recently distributed and another 30 will be given out this year to help in the enhancement of the game. He also urged the Association to get involved in communities and schools.
He encouraged the audience to get involved in sports to help them live a healthy lifestyle and to stay away from illicit activities. The business community in the Ancient County was also commended for partnering with the GTTA.
Greene in his remarks expressed delight and excitement. He was high in praise and applauded the Berbice Steering Committee’s commitment for a job well done. He stated that the initiative was taken to expand the game and have it played in all corners of the Country. Berbice with its rich history in the sport was the first on board.
The GTTA boss noted that equipment is expensive and that’s the reason for making the monetary rewards attractive.
The Association he stated will make every effort to assist in acquiring equipment including tables, balls and racquets and will make them available free or at a reasonable cost to clubs, communities, schools and players. Coaching was also highlighted by the President as being a high priority for the GTTA. The ultimate objective Greene said is to have persons from Berbice becoming involved in the coaching programme and becoming certified.
A number of persons have been selected to participate in various coaching programmes in Georgetown. Other such activities are planned for Linden during the week, Bartica and Lethem among other areas.
The commissioner also thanked the business community for supporting the event and took the opportunity to present a Table to the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre which was received by Levi Need, Student Affairs Officer of Guysuco.
The activity was chaired by Superintendent of Police and member of the Berbice Steering Committee Ian Amsterdam while remarks were delivered by Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha and chairman of the Berbice Steering Committee Floyd Conway.

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