Open Tournament serves off today
By Samuel Whyte
A sumptuous opening ceremony is planned for today in Berbice when the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) under the renewed leadership of Commissioner of Police Henry Green in collaboration with the Steering Committee of the Berbice Table Tennis sub Association, re-launches the game in the Ancient County with the playing of the Berbice Open Table Tennis Competition. The activity will be held at the Port Mourant Training School beginning at 09:00 hrs.
Among the dignitaries invited and expected to be at the opening Ceremony are Minister of Sports Dr. Frank Anthony, Commissioner of Police Henry Green, personnel of The Ministry and Department of Sport, Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha, Mayors of the three Municipalities in Berbice among others which will include most of the executives of The GTTA.
During the past weeks a number of coaching session were conducted at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.
The sessions were conducted by National Coaches and former national Players Colin France, Andrew Daley and Ray ‘Copter ‘Anderson. They were assisted by Berbician based former women’s, champion Desiree Lancaster and junior champ Petal Bennet along with former and presents players including Errol Alphonso and Floyd Conway.
So far close to 70 persons have been registered and a number of others are expected to do so on the morning of the games.
The tournament, which is open to only Berbicians and will be played in three categories U13, U18, is open for both males and females. Trophies and other prizes will be presented to the top performers in each category, while special prizes will be given to other participants.
Added incentive will see outstanding performers being selected to participate in the Mashramani tournament later in the month in Georgetown.
Players are expected from the various schools, the Port Mourant Training Centre, The Police Training School, and The University of Guyana among other entities.
The Minister is expected to declare the day’s proceedings open and along with President of the GTTA Commissioner Henry Green, who was a top flight player in his hay day, are expected to play a few exhibition matches.
Mr. Green is also expected to make a few announcements and plans for the game in Berbice, as well as meet with the members of the steering committee.
Some of the players to watch out for are; Gibran Hussein (The one hand wonder), Floyd Conway, Brentnol Richards and Richard Bacchus, while on the distaff side Lancaster, Bennett and another former national Vida Moore are expected to hold the sway.
All interested Berbicians are invited to be at the Port Mourant venue at 08:30 hrs to be registered and be a part of the day’s activities.