Berbice Schools Table Tennis competition comes off with a bang

Ian Bagot

Bagot, Murray, Lalbachan, Conway outstanding

The Berbice Schools Table Tennis competition which was held on Saturday last at the Berbice High School, Auditorium came has been hailed a success. The tournament which was organized by the Steering Committee of the Berbice Table Tennis Sub Association and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, saw over 72 players ranging from 8 years to 21 years, participating.
The competition which heralded the return of the sport to schools in the Ancient County after a lengthy absence of close to two decades was keenly contested and saw play in all five categories. Five girls participated, two Under-10, one Under-13 and two Under-15.
In an epic 5-set battle in the 21 & Under category Ian Bagot of the Port Mourant Training School had to dig deep to win against  Ryan Anderson.
Having lost the first set at 6, Bagot rebounded to take the second at 8. He then lost at 8 but had the resolve to capture the final two sets at 4 and 9 to come out victor 6-11 11-8 6-11 11-4 11-4. Third place went to Luen David who defeated Derrick Codogan.
The Under-18 category attracted 32 players; the top four in the Under-15 category were also allowed to participate.
In the end it was Under-15 player Bryton Murray of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary who got past schoolmate Dennison Mentor in the final 11-9, 11-4 11-3. Earlier in one of the semi finals Mentore was taken to five sets by Joshua Lalbachan of New Amsterdam Multilateral before winning the fifth and deciding set 12-10. Lalbachan placed 3rd ahead of Julian Haniff of BHS.
The15 & Under category produced quite a bit of excitement and rivalry and when the final set ended, Joshua  Lalbachand emerged winner over old rival and pal Bryton Murray. Julian Haniff again placed third, Ravi Singh of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary fourth.
The Girls Under-15 competition saw a round robin play off which was won by Anita Alleyne , Joylyn Conway second and Cristine Sorijpaul third.
Joshua Conway defeated Joshua Butts 11-3, 11-4 in the final of the boys 13 & Under category; Shaquan Spencer defeated Retanan Timmers in the battle for third place in the eight player category. Joylyn Conway was the lone entry in the Girls Under-13 category.
In the Boys 10 & Under division which was also contested using the round-robin format Trevon Hintzen took the top spot after playing unbeaten.
Troy Munroe with a loss to Hintzen came in second, Gibson Ramsarran third and Raheem Abel fourth.
Emily Ramsuchit got the better of Simonda  DeCunha in the Girls 10 & Under play off, the only two entries. All six of the Under-10 participants were from the St. Therese Primary.
Earlier the activity was declared open by Regional Education Officer Region of Region No. 6 Ms. Shafiran Bhajan who also spoke on behalf of the Regional Administration. Ms. Bhajan congratulated the Steering Committee of the Berbice Table Tennis Association for their foresight in pulling off the event while stating that sports help to promote good moral values and help bring people together.
Remarks were also given by Education Officer Secondary Ms. Celeste La Rose who stated that the department will be fully behind the body in any future activity.
Chairman of the Steering committee Floyd Conway in his remarks touched on the opportunities available for the young and upcoming players in the sport. Conway urged the players to continue working hard.
National coach Linden Johnson coordinated the activity with assistance from members of the Steering Committee and coaches who according to Johnson did an excellent job. Trophies and other prizes will be presented at a specially organised function.
(Samuel Whyte)