Junior National Table Tennis Coach Dwain Dick is calling on the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and other related sports bodies to provide virtual psychosocial support for athletes who may be physiologically affected by the impact of the Coronavirus.
Dick mooted the idea in response to questions posed by Stabroek Sports on how sports federations can remain relevant during this period of uncertainty.
“I would’ve liked to see the GOA, NSC and the national federations playing a more active role in terms of athlete support; taking this time to publicly reassure athletes through virtual seminars or meetings by giving advice, guidance, and direction, especially to the younger athletes,” he suggested.
Dick is also the president of the Titans Table Tennis Club – one of the thriving junior sports institutions in Guyana. He confirmed that he continues to communicate with his athletes during the current global lockdown to combat the scourge of the virus.
But notwithstanding the need to remain indoors to stop the spread of the virus, Dick disclosed that many of the juniors have expressed their disappointment at possibly not being able to represent Guyana at few upcoming regional table tennis championships.
However, they are coping with the possible freefall.
Jonathan Van Lange, in particular, who has been in red hot form after he mopped up championship honours in all the junior categories in 2020, may feel slighted if the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) decides to pull the plug on the upcoming junior championships that are scheduled to be held in Guyana and Cuba this year.
Van Lange has never medalled in the junior singles category at the Caribbean level.
However, Dick, his junior coach is of the view that he stands a very good chance of landing on the podium in Cuba.
“Well based on his [Van Lange] performance last year he proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. He would be competing in the under 15 category which has stronger players, and some who would’ve moved up with him from the other countries. So, it would’ve been interesting to see in which category he would’ve competed in, seeing he is the number one under 15 and 18 national champ.”
Dick, a former national player himself, reiterated the wisdom in adhering to the principles of social distancing to remain safe. He underscored the importance of players continuing to work on their fitness and familiarising themselves with the rules of the game. He even suggested scouting YouTube for old tapes to maintain interest in the sport.
Asked about the possible positives to lean on during this time he said: “The positive is that athletes can use their coping skills gained through participation in sports to help them through this tough time and can even help others to cope by motivating and encouraging them in their fraternity, communities, and countries.”
