Dear Editor,
I refer to an article in Kaieteur News of June 23 titled ‘Act of Deceit? Munroe should make the truth public.’
The article in question alleges that I, as General Secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) gave sports reporter Mr Edison Jefford an exclusive on the names of the team to the 51st Senior Caribbean Championships scheduled for French Guiana from July 20-26, two days after issuing a release about the training squad to other sections of the media.
Let me make it pellucidly clear that at no point in time did I, in any capacity whatsoever, name, outline or suggest to Mr Jefford in a telephone conversation/interview or otherwise, the selected teams, likely candidates or anything alluding to team selection. Neither was I asked any question as it relates to the final composition of the Guyana team(s).
The same press release which was sent to Jefford containing the names of the players invited to train for possible selection on the representative national teams was sent to a reporter at NCN and to the SN (although not at the same time), and the only misleading article was Mr Jefford’s.
I spoke to Mr Jefford via my cellphone on June 18 at 15.24pm, a call which lasted for 45 seconds as my telephone records can attest. Jefford remarked that he saw us (GTTA) naming a squad and that I had given Donald Duff – Sports Editor, Stabroek News – the scoop about the team to the Senior Caribbean Championships as was evident from the report in the SN of June 17 headlined ‘Christophe missing from men’s TT shortlist.’ I told Jefford that it was not the team which was referred to, but a squad from which the team will be selected, and that I had forwarded the same squad to his mail box. He indicated that he had not seen the mail and asked that I give him the names of the squad. I told him I did not want to do that for fear of omitting a player so I would resend him the mail.
He enquired about the teams’ chances and I gave him some brief comments about the teams’ preparation, the GTTA’s approach, cost, etc. He then sought to clarify if 1974 was the last time Guyana won a team title, and I told him I thought so but was not sure and that he should clarify this with Mike Baptiste.
On June 19 a KN article headlined, ‘GTTA sets sight on Caribbean Championships’ proceeded to name players for the men’s women’s, masters and under-21 boys and girls teams, stopping short of saying that it was disclosed by me. It said: “This newspaper was told that Michelle John, who is currently on scholarship at Linwood University in the United States, is available and will play with Trenace Lowe, Jody-Ann Blake and Natalie Cummings in the Women’s event.
“The Men’s team includes international campaigner, Idi Lewis, United States–based, Paul David, Christopher Franklyn and Mathew Khan. Colin France and US-based, Sydney Christophe will play in the Masters’ competition.”
The article was drawn to my attention by various persons, in addition to which Duff approached me about whether the GTTA had named a team. My response was that as Secretary of the GTTA I had not named a team and that the article by Mr Jefford was misleading and I wanted to correct same, which was done in the SN of June 22, under the headline ‘GTTA’s Munroe slams Kaieteur News article.’
The team as suggested by Mr Jefford goes against all logic, for instance, that on June 17 the GTTA named a squad with a view to selection and training and then named a team two days later. It goes against all my prior actions as an administrator of the sport spanning more than 13 years. I have always relied on sound judgment and logical processes, taking into account our association’s policy of being inclusive.
The selection of the players named by Mr Jefford is not automatic. Despite the fact that Michelle John has indicated her availability, the association still has to get clearance from her college and assistance with her return passage to Guyana, and I am still to reach her father Owen John about those details since he has made several attempts to contact me. So Michelle is not a definite ‘go.’
The association has a selection policy which hinges on performance, experience, trials if needed, punctuality at training, style of play, international results and discipline, among other factors.
Jody-Ann Blake still has issues about her leave from work, since she is utilizing her annual vacation playing a few tournaments in the USA in preparation for the Caribbean Championships, so we are hopeful that her employers would oblige and grant her time off for the French Guiana engagement once we make a request.
The USA-based player Paul David is still seeking sponsorship.
Despite the GTTA naming Matthew Khan who is in the interior, we have not received official word from him directly about his availability, so despite him being a key member of the team if selected there is no confirmation about his participation. I, as the national men’s singles champion, given the factors outlined may have a role to play or might have to step in if there are any shortfalls in the team.
Colin France can still play an integral role in the men’s team since he is currently ranked number two in Guyana, and only recently scored two big international victories in Trinidad and Tobago and Cayenne, and with the new advent of the ban on the use of Speed and other types of glue his game can be a factor.
When one is naming a team one has to consider the core team that will be playing the team events and then the general team, since other players will play the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and other individual events. Given our association’s policy, whenever it is feasible or the opportunity presents itself we try as much as possible to give our players much needed exposure as a means of grooming them for the future; this has not changed.
Mr Jefford also stated that, “Munroe informed that the Caribbean Federation has introduced a new Under-21 category into the championships and as such, the GTTA have selected Nigel Bryan and Lowe to bring honours in the grouping.” The Under 21 category is not a new one; it has been in existence at the annual Caribbean championships for over five years and Vida Moore and Matthew Khan won bronze medals in the Under-21, 2007 championships on Trinidad, so I cannot see how I could tell Mr Jefford that. We never had any discussion on any Under 21 category.
What we have done is to include Adielle Roshuevel, Chelsea Edghill, Ambrose Thomas, and Akecia Nedd – young bright prospects – and Joel Alleyne, Darwin Walcott, Denzel Hopkinson, Warren Hackshaw and Dwayne Gibson – all players in the transition phase of their careers who need exposure to propel them to the next level.
We have already spoken to General Secretary and Tournament Coordinator Marie Sylvie Benoit about cost reductions, so that these players can be accommodated. Despite the official delegation catering for one under-21 male and one under-21 female, therefore, we would like to see what best we can do to give other players the opportunity. All those variables have to be clarified and evaluated before one comes up with the final composition of the team. So Mr Jefford’s apparent attempt to suggest that SN got the squad and he got the team is out of place.
As an administrator I have to maintain my integrity not only with the media but with sponsors, players, embassies, parents, corporate members, and the public at large. As an association, our mandate is to govern for the holistic development of all players and the sport. We have to be democratic, inclusive and transparent. All players are integral to the process and have a role to play in the development of the sport; the GTTA cannot discount any of its players.
Myself and several parents have taken offence to Mr Jefford calling players misfits, since all the players called to train in the squad have a shot at representing Guyana and being part of the team, whether in singles or team events.
Joel Alleyne is still under 21 and he won the Men’s Singles Independence category of the Under 21 championships in the domestic competition. He is more inclined than Nigel Bryan, but those variables still have to be evaluated, so if Mr Jefford thinks it’s a willy-nilly process he should acquaint himself more with table tennis matters.
We all have roles to play in harnessing and developing talent and youth. I am not interested in profile building; I am serving for the love of it and in the spirit of volunteerism and to see Guyana’s youths elevate themselves.
Yours faithfully,
Godfrey Munroe
