By Royston Alkins
Nicholus Romain and Nigel Bryan served, looped and smashed their way to the final of the Guyana Table Tennis Association in association with the Forbes Burnham Foundation, handicap table tennis tournament held at the Guyana National Gymnasium, yesterday.
Romain, the 2016 National Under 15 champion had in the semi-finals defeated Caribbean Pre-cadet 11 years-and-under champion Kaysan Ninvalle by three sets to one to reach the final.
Both players played with a minus 2 handicap and Ninvalle, who had earlier defeated Elishaba Johnson in the previous round, seemed as if he would add Romain’s scalp to the many older players he has toppled when he won the first game 11 – 7.
However, Romain would not suffer the same fate as Johnson who was unable to overcome his two point handicap (-4 to Ninvalle’s -2) and eventually won the next three games and the tie 11 – 3, 11 – 5 and 13 – 11.
Ninvalle was up 10-8 in the fourth game but was unable to force a decisive fifth game.
Prior to that match Romain defeated Terrence Rausch 11 – 7, 11 – 5 and 11 – 6 while Bryan overcame Vishan Harrynuath of Berbice 12 – 10, 11 – 8 and 11 – 8 and Nyron Bissu 12 – 10, 11 – 8 and 11 – 8.
The handicap final along with the B and C class final will be played at the Guyana National Gymnasium today.
Speaking with Stabroek Sports afterwards, Romain, who is coached by former Caribbean boys junior champion Idi Lewis expressed confidence of stopping Bryan in today’s final.
“Ninvalle was my toughest opponent because he’s a good player who plays with high intensity but I’m confident of winning tomorrow. I train and I know what I’m capable of,” he added.
The tournament is being held in commemoration of the 94th birth anniversary of Guyana’s first Executive President and Prime Minister, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
Meanwhile, member of the Burnham Foundation, Vincent Alexander said that the tournament is one of four tournaments being played in recognition of Guyana’s founding father. The others are a three-stage cycle race, wind ball cricket and netball.
“All of this is being done in commemoration of the 94th birth anniversary of Guyana’s first Executive President Linden Forbs Sampson Burnham. It’s been done by the Burnham foundation. A foundation that seeks to ensure the legacy of Burnham is kept alive and obviously sports has to feature in that legacy because as Prime Minster and President he gave a lot of attention to sports, and so we do things that we think he would have done, in his memory hence the tennis,” added Alexander who spoke at the opening of the tournament.
