The junior national table tennis team left these shores for St. Kitts yesterday morning, where they will be defending their Junior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships and according to one of the coaches Colin France, it was one of the largest contingent of table tennis players to have ever left Guyana.

The national junior table tennis team minus Varsha Panday and Dillon Mahadeo, strike a pose with coaches Colin France (left back row) and Leon Johnson (right back row) at the CASH prior to their departure. (An Orlando Charles photograph)

“Strength lies in numbers and we have a pretty good chance of retaining the titles we won last year in the Under-18 boys and girls as well as the overall team championship honours. This is the largest contingent of table tennis players who have ever left these shores.”

The 52 years-old multiple national champion further stated, “The team  has been training twice a day, with some players making the early morning sacrifice. We have seen commitment from them and even though some of them were hampered by Easter exams, they made it to the afternoon sessions and with that in mind, I can’t see why their sacrifices cannot pay dividends with nothing other than success at the tournament.”

When Guyana hosted the championships last year, they won the Boys and Girls Under-18 titles, through the efforts of Nigel Bryan and Michelle John, but the latter who defeated her team mate Trenace Lowe to win the crown, has migrated to the USA through a scholarship.

France, who was quick to point out the void left in the team by John’s absence and also ineligibility, stated that the Under-18 Girls team would be boosted by the inclusion of an Under-15 player, especially since the lack of funding prevented Ambrose Thomas from being a part of the travelling party.

“Honestly speaking, I am ashamed that we cannot go there with our best team, since funding played a major role in preventing same from happening. It would have been nice to see a full compliment of the Girls Under-18 squad which includes Lowe, Ambrose and Varsha Panday. Funding prevented Thomas from being with us here today as we prepare to depart. Nevertheless, the show must go on and in order for us to compete as a team, we will be utilizing the services of an Under-15 player to compete in the Girls Under-18 team event” said France.

He further stated, “Our Under-15 team which consists of Adele Rosheuvel, Chelsea Edghill and Akeisha Nedd is a very strong one, whilst the baby of the team, national Under-10 Girl’s champion Priscilla Greaves is making this trip to gain exposure for the Junior Caribbean Cadet Championships which will be held in Barbados from 4th to 12th August this year.”

“All in all, we have a bunch of competent, motivated and competitive young table tennis players who are eager to go out there and do of their best not only for their country, but themselves on the whole” said France.

Meanwhile, national table tennis coach Linden Johnson echoed the sentiments of France, stating that he expects Lowe to remain focus and keep her self discipline in order to be successful especially in the Under-18 Girls singles competition.

“No doubt, she will be feeling lonely without the companionship John. But she will be partnered by Panday and an Under-15 player in the Under-18 Girls team competition. Once she remains focus and keep her self discipline, she can pull it off and win the individual Girls Under-18 title. But we are here now, albeit minus a key player from the Girl’s Under-18 team. But not looking to start one down in  that competition, management has decided to use the services of an Under-15 player in that division,” Johnson stated. Secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe was on hand to extend his best wishes and also share his knowledge to the players, urging the senior ones to he encourage the debutants, whilst at the same time encouraged the debutants to play to the best of their ability.

The team who moved off from the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) yesterday morning, will attend the opening ceremony this morning at the St. Kitts Marriott Pavillion, while the team events serve off tomorrow from 09:00hrs.