Dear Editor,
Mr Henry Greene, former Commissioner of Police and President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association died in the early morning of Friday, September 7 on the Harlem Public Road, West Coast Demerara. His death was a result of a three-vehicle accident.
Mr Greene was elected President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association on July 31, 2010, an association which at the time was experiencing severe managerial difficulties and was unable to carry out its mandate. As a consequence, he used all his experience and put systems in place to ensure the proper and effective forward movement of the association. He led by example and motivated his executives to emulate his very high standards.
His interest in the players was unquestionable. He encouraged them to be committed and dedicated, and to strive for success at the highest levels. His concern for the development of the players and the game was obvious in the implementation of attractive incentives for players and his presence at competitions.
Under his presidency, the Guyana Table Tennis Association accomplished much:
* Decentralizing the game to many parts of the country including Berbice, Essequibo Coast, Bartica, Linden, West Demerara, Mahdia, East and West Bank Demerara
* Distributing tables to schools in various areas, Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 10, George-town and the University of Guyana (Turkeyen and Berbice)
* Resuscitating the National Schools Teams Tournament, the Inter-Organization Teams Championship and the National Championships
* Being awarded the Most Improved Sports Association and Best Association of the Year.
* Introducing the Umpire ITTF Basic Coaching Course and training programmes for players overseas
* Organizing a number of Level I coaching courses while increasing and strengthening the local training base.
* Three ITTF Level I Coaches attending the ITTF Level II Coaching Course in Trinidad and Tobago
* Increasing the financial base by way of regular, well-organized fundraising activities
* Raising the level of local competitions
* Attracting adequate sponsorship for local and overseas competitions
* Successfully hosting the 53rd Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships
* Participating in Pre-Cadet, Cadet Junior and Senior Caribbean Championships, Commonwealth Games in India, Latin American Championships in Mexico
Mr Greene, as President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association established a very close working relationship with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission, the corporate community, the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation and the International Table tennis Federation. He also promoted a family atmosphere among the executives, players, parents, coaches fans and the public at large.
He touched the lives of many with his democratic management style. He was a leader by example, committed to the cause and honest in his dealings. This stalwart will truly be missed by those with whom he came into contact.
The Guyana Table Tennis Association will definitely miss a president, father, mentor, friend and a Leader of quality.
Just a few hours before his demise, the executive body of the Guyana Table Tennis Association met, discussed and agreed on the activities for the remainder of the year, such as the National Tournament, the Inter-Organization Teams Tournament, the schools teams tournament, the Latin American Pre-Cadet Championship in Venezuela, the North America Championship in the United States of Americam and the preparation for the hosting of the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Championships in July 2013.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission expresses sincere condolences to his immediate and extended family, the Guyana Table Tennis Association, the sports fraternity and those to whom he would have been near and dear.
May his soul experience eternal rest.
Yours faithfully,
Neil Kumar, MP
Director of Sport
