The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China yesterday concluded a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides to commence a partnership which places the development of table tennis at the fore.
Chen Xilai, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Godfrey Munroe, President of the tennis body, signed on behalf of the two entities.
The agreement according to Munroe reflects the position of the Government of China to provide technical and other support to the Guyanese sport body.
“This forms part of an MOU and ongoing support between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) which includes the provision of high-level coaching to national table tennis players at all levels in high yield environments in China, provision of equipment support to schools, communities and the developmental initiatives of GTTA,” Munroe pronounced at a simple ceremony at the Ministry of Education NCERD building in Kingston.
Provisions for the training of Guyanese coaches and “support” for the construction of a home for table tennis in Guyana are other major components of the agreement.
One aspect of the MOU was served up straight away with the Embassy donating a variety of table tennis equipment including tables, rackets and balls to fifty schools across Guyana to stimulate interest in table tennis in schools.
Meanwhile the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, who is an avid follower of the sport both locally and abroad, briefly recalled the history of co-operation between Guyana and China through the use of sports.
“Chinese and Guyanese people have always enjoyed extensive exchanges in table tennis. As early as 1973, the Guyana table tennis team visited China and participated in the Asian, African and Latin American Table Tennis Friendship Invitational Tournament held in Beijing. Over the past few decades, China has sent several table tennis coaches to Guyana to help the development of table tennis here,” the Chinese Ambassador remarked.
Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Nicolette Henry, Minister of Education also attended the ceremony and delivered remarks. The former, in particular, lamented on the influence of sport in continuing to shape the extant bonds between Guyana and China.
“Let me join the speakers who have preceded me in applauding the efforts of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Guyana Table Tennis Association and all others who have played a part in bringing today’s happy activity to fruition.
“Today’s ceremony is a fitting symbol and another concrete expression of the historic, strong and continued friendship and meaningful collaboration between Guyana and China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Dr Cummings remarked.
