Second one-day Table Tennis coaching session successful in Berbice

Feb 14, 2011 Sports

By Samuel Whyte
The second coaching session organised by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in collaboration with the Steering Committee of the Berbice Sub Association was successfully held on Saturday February 12 at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMS).
The sessions, which are all part of the GTTA’s aim to spread the game to all parts of the country, were conducted by national coaches Ray ‘Copter ‘Anderson and Andrew Daley.

Participants listen attentively to the coaches during last weekend's Table Tennis sessions in Berbice.

Some 38 persons participated which was an improvement from the previous week which had 29 participants.  The participants ranged from age 10 to over 50 including two females.
Both coaches, Daley who is a national player and an Olympic Association Solidarity Qualified Coach and Anderson who is an ITTF qualified level two coach, stated that they were very impressed with the talent and commitment shown by the participants during the sessions.
The participants were taught the basics of the game which include the four basic strokes in table Tennis, namely – the Back and Forearm Push and the back and Forearm drive, proper stance, proper way to serve, Basic rules of the game, fitness drills, the multi ball drill and other appropriate fun activities.  Discipline as relates to ITTF and GTTA rules and code of conduct was also part of the programme.
Speaking on their expectations, both coaches stated that they would like to see an improvement in what were taught during the two sessions. They stated that the initiative taken by the president of the GTTA is a commendable one and they are positive that a few national players and champions will emerge in the near future.
The chairman of the Berbice steering committee Floyd Conway and former national Table Tennis Champion Desiree Lancaster, who are both executives on the national body, were very appreciative of the move made by the GTTA to spread the game to all parts of the country.
They noted that since the coaching sessions started there has been an upsurge in the amount of persons playing the game. They said that the increase in the number of participants is indicative of that.
Apart from the two national coaches, the players were assisted by Lancaster and Conway with prominent Berbician, Errol Alphonso, also in attendance.
The sessions will continue from today at the same venue with national coaches Anderson, Garfield Munroe and Linden Johnson all expected to be in attendance.
It is being held in an effort to revitalize the game in the ancient county and to prepare the players for the Berbice open championship which is slated for Wednesday February 16 at the Port Mourant Training Centre. There will be play in three categories U-13, U-18 and Open male and female.
Commissioner of Police Henry Green and Minister of Sports Frank Anthony are expected to be at the opening of the tournament.
Outstanding performers will be selected to participate in the Mashramani tournament later this month in Georgetown.