GTTA ‘restart’ tournament now scheduled for next Thursday

Dec 10, 2020 Sports

Table Tennis is set for the Malteenoes Sport Club next Thursday.

Kaieteur News – The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) had earmarked this weekend for the commencement of the ‘Restart’ tournament since the Covid-19 outbreak but after a couple hiccups, they are all set to serve off the event next Thursday (December 17) at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) on Thomas Lands.

Head of the GTTA – Godfrey Munroe.

Head of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, highlighted that although the tournament had been rescheduled twice before, all systems are in place and it would take an extraordinary circumstance to not have the event contested next Thursday.
As stated before, the ‘restart’ tourney will have special rules of engagement and will follow strict Covid-19 protocols. Although table tennis tournament usually last a weekend, this morning will be longer since fewer matches will be able to be contested at the venue, due to not only space but because the amount of participants and persons in general at the MSC will be limited.
Some of the protocols for this tournament will include: social distancing, use of Personal Protective Equipment, wiping of balls, before every session and match, sanitising of the area, temperature checks, and asking players not to use public transportation.
The format will feature a best 16 followed by individual events where players will only show up at the venue for their matches based on their draw.
In terms of approval from the relevant authorities, Munroe told the media that, “Basically we wrote to them [National COVID-19 Task Force], but we have not gotten a response; but I was apprised that it is geared based on the Minister’s instructions that we can go ahead once we observe those (covid-19) protocols.”
“Most of the players are working on training and they are eager to get back into action because just continued training and not getting to compete could be disheartening.”
Table Tennis is considered non-contact, players were allowed to resume training in small groups since August but Sports was allowed to resume since November 1.
Munroe noted that it is important for the players to get back into action as soon as possible since there are few important tournaments schedule for next year including the Caribbean Senior Championships, slated for Cuba in April.

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