Despite the success of the just-concluded annual National Sports Commission-sponsored table tennis tournament Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony is a bit peeved with two aspects of the development of the sport.
In his remarks yesterday at the awards ceremony at the National Gymnasium, Dr. Anthony alluded to the fact that the tournament had grown over the years.
“We had about close to 100 players participating. It shows that the sport is growing and you should be proud of that,” he told the gathering which included secondary school students, winners of the respective categories and parents.
However, he urged the GTTA to move to decentralize the sport.
Dr. Anthony was also a bit peeved with the fact that students are not being able to make full use of the tables presented by his ministry to schools.
“We have given out boards, rackets and balls that have cost us and some schools should have clubs but the vast majority have the boards and are not utilizing the boards. Some schools in the city have the boards locked away and the children don’t have access to it and that should not be,” said the minister whilst assuring that the matter would be looked into.
“What we will have to do is check the list, see the schools that are not using the boards and take them back and give them to other schools.”
Godfrey Munroe, President of GTTA, said the tournament attracted over 30 schools.
“I think for this tournament the competitive level was tremendous. This tournament is significant because it is part of the Independence anniversary and as youngsters you must understand that it means that Guyana is now in its 47th year,” he stated.
“I think table tennis is a sport that can take you far and we all have to do our bit to move the sport and the country forward so kudos to youngsters that did well,” Munroe added. He also lauded the efforts of the NSC and the Ministry of Sport stating that their assistance is contributing to the development of table-tennis. “I think the support of the NSC and the Ministry of Sport has been great throughout and not just with this tournament alone but whether it be providing tables to schools for the last two years, they have also sponsored workshops to help improve the sport and has helped out national teams,” he elaborated.
Shemar Britton emerged as the most outstanding player in tournament after copping the 15 and under, 18 and under, 21 and under and Men’s Singles titles. The 14-year-old is also the youngest player to win a men’s singles title in Guyana.
