National men’s singles champion and current general secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association Godfrey Munroe said yesterday he was thrilled with the performance of the national men’s and women’s teams to this year’s Caribbean championships where they earned silver medals.
Trinidad on the backs of France based semi-professional players Dexter St. Louis and Rheann Chung swept the men’s and women’s titles respectively with Guyana being runners-up in both divisions at the championships currently underway in French Guiana.
“I’m truly elated with the performance and more particularly the victories over defending champion Barbados and Trinidad, whose team included France based semi-professional player Dexter St Louis,” Munroe told Stabroek Sport.
“To me it shows progress in light of the fact of the win over the defending champions Barbados.
Guyana, Trinidad and Aruba ended in a three-way tie for first place after Guyana defeated Trinidad but lost to Aruba who then lost to Trinidad.
On the tie-break, Trinidad had a better win/ loss ratio ending with five wins and four losses (plus one).
Guyana ended in second place with five wins and five losses (zero) while Aruba ended with four wins and five losses (minus1)
Guyana beat Trinidad 3-2 in Thursday morning’s session with Paul David, Colin France and Christopher Franklyn each winning a tie. Trinidad’s two matches came from St. Louis who plays for Cam Bordeaux in France. Earlier, Guyana had beaten the defending champions Barbados 3-2 with David, Idi Lewis and Franklyn each winning an encounter.
But the Guyanese probably lost their chance of a title triumph when they were upset by little fancied Aruba.
In the match against Aruba, Lewis lost both matches while David lost once.
Munroe said yesterday that the GTTA will appeal the outcome of the game against Aruba since according to reports; Aruba might have played with an ineligible player.
“The GTTA will raise the issue of whether one of the Aruban players was ineligible,” he said.
Munroe was also loud in praise of the female team.
“Equally impressive was the women’s team which placed second.
“We must be reminded that these are players now coming out of the junior ranks. That they have been competing as senior women shows the depth that they have. Young Natalie Cummings, fresh on the scene, was of great help and her work ethic is most commendable.”
Munroe said the presence of Jody Ann Blake would have strengthened the team’s chances of landing the coveted title as she holds a victory over Chung, who spearheaded the Trinidad women’s team to the crown.
“Jody could have added to the strength of the team.
“But on that account, I want to congratulate the players. Michelle took time out from her studies and was very passionate about coming home to represent her country while Trenace Lowe showed renewed commitment to training.
“We could only build on this triumph. It just basically shows the calibre of the players we have and that Guyana’s table tennis is of a high standard.
“We have to look at ways of bringing the team together and having them play in more competitions as a unit.
“We also have to address the financial aspect of the sport which can sometimes have a psychological impact on the players.
“Victory has been achieved despite the limitations of training time available; the time the team had to play as a unit and the limitations of funding.
“Our efforts will now be directed towards the CAC Games, next year’s Commonwealth Games and the Caribbean championships in Puerto Rico.”
The Guyana team will return on Monday.
