The inaugural `Play to Conquer’ table tennis tournament organized by the Titans Table Tennis Club and sanctioned by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) is set to commence this morning at the National Gymnasium with the cream of the country’s top racquet wielders in action in the several categories to be contested.
Missing though will be the Open men’s and women’s categories and as such some of the best racquet wielders in the country notably Christopher Franklyn and Shemar Britton among the men and Jody Ann Blake and Natalie Cummings among the women will be missing from the action.
However, there are a still a large number of talented players who will be looking to make an impact in the several categories of the tournament including Stefan Corlette, Kevon Corbin, Elishaba Johnson, the Wong brothers Miguel and Colin, Kaysan Ninvalle, Isiah Layne, Priscilla Greaves, Salenas Jackman and Neveah Clarkston.
According to President of the Titans Table Tennis Club Dwain Dick, the players have until 9am this morning to register.
Director of Sport Christopher Jones is expected to grace the event with his presence and is down to make a few remarks along with GTTA president Godfrey Munroe and Dick.
Dick said yesterday that the National Sports Commission has contributed to the tournament is a big way as it has donated all of the first place trophies. The NSC has also made the venue available for the tournament, Dick added.
“This is just one of the initiatives to just get the children to showcase their skills. Hopefully it will serve as a catalyst to make table tennis the best national indoor sport.”
According to the former top player, the sport had been dormant for sometime now.
He, however said that he was pleased with the GTTA for the support and collaboration in making the tournament a reality.
He said he was scheduled to meet with GTTA president Munroe and General Secretary Linden Johnson sometime yesterday to iron out the technical details since the GTTA will be responsible for providing the officials.
Dick also said yesterday that he was extremely grateful to national; table tennis player and former Caribbean boys singles silver medallist and men’s singles bronze medallist Paul David for donating a quantity of balls which will be used in the tournament. David who is based in the United States of America arrived in the country earlier this week and yesterday told Stabroek Sport that he will be in attendance.
Dick said so far that the response has been heartening adding that he has invited players from government corporations and other places to compete in the tournament.
“We at Titans would want to extend an invitation to those corporations and agencies to have players signed up for the tournament.
As you know a lot of businesses have sports clubs and so on, so we want to encourage persons who play for just recreation to also come out and have a shot in the tournament,” Dick said earlier this week.
Categories to be contested today and tomorrow are boys and girls U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-18.
Additionally there are three Open categories in the U-21 Open, the `B’ Class Open and the U-nine years of age Open.
Players desirous of participating in the tournament can contact Dick on cell phone number 642-3288.
