By Floyd Christie
At the age of six when most girls are playing with dolls Nevaeh Clarkston plays with a racquet and a ball.

The pint sized racquet wielder is already winning table tennis competitions against players who are older and heftier and not at the club but at a much higher level.

Clarkston, who attends St. Thomas Moore Primary School, burst into the spotlight when she competed in the annual National Sports Commission (NSC) Independence Table Tennis Tournament for the first time this year capturing two titles.

The six year old, in only her second tournament, ran out winner in the girls’ eight years and under and 10 years and under categories.

Clarkston is certainly a prodigy as incredibly, the first time her little hands picked up a tennis racquet was in February.

Prior to the NSC Independence Tournament, where she successfully displayed the skills and knowledge she has acquired in mere months, Clarkston has been under the direction and training of her coach Colin France.

In an interview with Stabroek Sport last Saturday, France, a former three-time national men’s singles champion expressed his amazement at how quickly Clarkston has developed in the sport.

He noted that she had progressed quickly from a position where she had no table tennis knowledge whatever.

France remembers the exact day when Clarkston was first exposed to the sport and came under his wing for training. “It was February 25.

“She has progressed very quickly because she is very smart,” France added.

When asked about his future plans for Clarkston outside the local table tennis arena, France stated, “I’m aiming for her to become the Caribbean’s under-10 champion,” adding that with continued training this is quite achievable.

He explained that her age should not be a disadvantage since it will yield positive results in the long run as other neighbouring countries also have their kids involved in the sport at a young age.

“So by the time they’re older they will be at a high level of tennis. We have to focus on producing players of world class standards because we have a bundle of talent in this country… we just have to harness it,” France said.

He maintained that both he and Clarkston are dedicated and will sacrifice the time and energy to achieve positive results at upcoming championships.

“It takes a lot of time and sacrifice, but if you want the results you have to make the sacrifice,” France maintained.

The coach disclosed that he intends to develop Clarkston’s game to a level where she can attain world recognition at the Mini Cadet Table Tennis Championships in Puerto Rico.

He also called on senior players to help young talented players since “a lot of players have talent but no guidance.”

Along with Clarkston, France coaches a number of table tennis players, including Adielle Rosheuvel who has been selected to represent Guyana in the first Junior Olympics to be held in Singapore this August.