With the 2017 Caribbean pre-and mini cadet championships scheduled for August 21-27 at the National Arena, Kingston, Jamaica, Stabroek Sports looks at some of the youngsters selected by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the upcoming championships.
The players have been training assiduously under a number of coaches headed by Linden Johnson and Idi Lewis and are quite simply the Generation Next of table tennis players in this country.
The players long term future is important in continuing the contribution of excellence by a long line of players who have covered themselves and this country with distinction in winning titles at the regional level.
Table tennis in Guyana has a rich tradition of winning medals at the Caribbean and international level and the following players are keen to continue that tradition at the upcoming championships.
They are young, disciplined and extremely talented and are likely to add great brand value and marketability to organisations willing to invest in their potential as there are significant values and synergies to be derived for supporting these athletes.
Following are brief profiles of the players.
Name: Krystian Sahadeo
School Mae’s primary
Style: Right-hand attacking player
Profile: Krystian Sahadeo is a very talented and disciplined player. He is a hard worker with a passion for learning who is clever and courageous and readily welcomes new challenges.
Achievements: US Open Champion 2016, Caribbean bronze medalist boys team 2016 Caribbean Pre- Cadet championships and West Demerara Open silver medallist boys 13-years-and-under category.
Name: Alexander De Abreu
School: Mae’s primary
Style: Right-hand attacking player
Profile: Alexander De Abreu is a smart player who has a great game temperament. He is also passionate about the sport.
Achievements: West Demerara Open silver medallist boys 15-years-and-under bronze medalist.
Name: Colin Wong
School: Mae’s primary
Style: Right hand Attacking Player
Profile: Colin Wong is an extremely gifted player who has naturally adapted to the game, a truly talented player he is very technically inclined and is a cool player under pressure.
Achievements: US Open Team Championships 2016. National 11 and 13 years and under bronze medallist. 2016 Caribbean boys 11 years and under bronze medallist. Winner of several domestic tournaments. Titans Table Tennis Open 11 years and under champion.
Name: Dhanesh Persaud
School: Mae’s School
Style: Right-hand attacking player
Profile: Dhanesh Persaud is a feisty, tenacious and witty player. A fighter is what maybe can aptly describe this extremely talented player. Students of the game believe that he has the necessary ingredient and attributes to become world-class player.
Achievements: Caribbean bronze medalist boys team 2016 Caribbean Pre- Cadet Championships. Winner several domestic competitions. C ‘Class Open Championships, LFS Burnham Open Champion, C Class 2017, Linden Open C Class Champion and silver medalist National Championships boys under 11.
Name: Jonathan Van Lange
School: Mae’s Primary
Style: Right-hand attacking player
Jonathan Van Lange is a strong prospect for a medal in the 11 years and under boy’s category. He will be playing in the 13-years-and-under boys team event after which he will transition to the 11-years-and-under singles such is Jonathan’s ability. Van Lange is an extremely gifted and talented athlete whose ability belies his age. The association has high hopes for a medal prospect after having great performances on the domestic front.
Achievements: West Demerara Open Champion 11 and 13 years and under 2017, National Speed rally champion 2017. 13-years-and-under and the GTTA Developmental Open boys 13-years-and-under silver medalist.
Name: Kaysan Ninvalle
School: Chase Academy
Style: Right-hand attacking player
This young table tennis prodigy is extremely talented and his ability belies his age in that his level is two age groups above his age. Ninvalle is a natural ball player who is smart and tenacious with great fighting qualities and a passion for winning attributes that we wish all our athletes have.
Achievements: Caribbean Gold Medalist, National champion 11 and 13 years and under Latin American Hopes Championships bronze medalist, US Open team Champion 2016, 2016 Caribbean team Silver medalist, 2017 Caribbean Boys 15 years and under team bronze medalist, and the 2013 Caribbean Championships Boys team bronze Medalist
Name: Isaiah Layne
School: St Stanislaus College
Style: left-handed attacking player
Profile: Isaiah Layne is scholastically inclined, disciplined and talented. An athlete who is very coachable with high aspirations to become a pilot. Layne has exemplified the recognition of the value of hard work as he is a confident athlete. His humble demeanor underscores his confidence and abilities which can be a shock for unassuming opponents.
Achievements: Caribbean 13 Years and under Silver medalist (2016), US Open Team Champion (2015), Caribbean Bronze medal and national boys under 15 team (2017), National 13 Years and under silver medalist and Caribbean Championships Boys team bronze Medalist (2013).
Name: Thuriaia Thomas
School: Mariam Academy
Style: Right hand attacking Player
The jewel and rose of the team, Thuraia Thomas ascension as a young player has been rapid which is a testimony of her passion for the sport and her ability to grasp and learn quickly. Thomas who is a hard worker, is another one of our young disciplined, talented and focused athletes.
Achievements: US Open Team Championships 2016, National 11 and 13 years and under Girls champion, 2016 Caribbean Girls 11 years and under bronze medalist. Winner of several domestic competitions and Titans Table Tennis 11 years-and-under champion.