Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 13, 2012 Sports
By Samuel Whyte
It was action non-stop when the inaugural Berbice Table Tennis Championship, which was held on Saturday last at the Berbice High School, Auditorium Queenstown New Amsterdam Berbice, came off with a bang. The tournament, which had the blessing of the Guyana Table Tennis Association, was organized by the Berbice Table Tennis Sub Association and sponsored by the by overseas based Guyanese, Berbician Souvenir Ramdyal, of 2009 Hall of Fame Realtor of Queens NY.
The day’s action saw over 90 players participating, with players’ age ranging from 8 years to over 55 years. The competition was open to persons living and working in Berbice for the last three years. In the end it was Gibran ‘Gibby’ Hussein Safraz, the one arm wonder that remained unconquered as he defeated another top Player, Rono Joseph, in the final to continue his winning ways in the Table Tennis circle in Berbice.
After a hard fought day of Table Tennis action, Safraz and Joseph emerged as the last men standing as they contested the finals. Safraz kept his composure to emerge winner 3-1 in four hard fought games 11-9, 7-11-, 11-7, and 11-9 to take the Souvenir Ramdyal trophy and cash incentive.
Earlier in semifinal play, Safraz had defeated Stephen Sankar (3-0) 13-11, 12-10, 11-5, while Joseph had fought his way back to edge past junior nation player Briton Murray 3-2 in a hard fought tussle. The scores were 5-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-0 and11-4. In the quarterfinal rounds Safraz had won from Julian Haniff 3-1, Joseph also had a torrid time in his quarterfinal against another national junior player, Joshua Lalbachan, eventually winning (3-2) as he was stretched all the way, the scores 2-11, 11-3, 11-9, 7-11 and 11-8. Murray had defeated Nicolas Lawrence 3-0, while Stephen Sankar had upstaged veteran Brentnol Richards 3-2. There was no third place playoff as both Murray and Sankar were declared joint third. In the 18 and under division, Lalbachan won from Murray (3-0) in the final with the scores being 11-7,119, 11-9. Lalbachan had earlier defeated Marlon Daniels (3-0), while Murray had won from Julian Haniff (3-1) in the semifinals. Haniff copped third place after defeating Daniels (3-0).
In the 15 and under division, Lalbachan was again in winner’s row after defeating Nicolas Lawrence (3-0) in the finals 11-7, 13-11 and 11-7. In the semifinals Lalbachan won from Jadon Conway 3-0, while Lawrence, who had earlier upset top player Briton Murray 3-2 in quarterfinals play, won from Stephen Sankar 3-0. Sankar then defeated Conway 3-0 to take the third place play off.
In the 13 and under division, Joshua Butts upset Jadon Conway 3-2 in a keenly contested battle winning 13-11, 4-11, 11-4, 5-11 and 11-8. Butts had won from John Andrews, while Conway had defeated Jonathan Green in the semifinals. Andrews then won from Green 2-0 to cop third place.
In the Girls 15 years and under division the top place went to Joylyn Conway with Angeli Persaud second.
The presentation ceremony that followed saw the top three players in each division receiving trophies and cash incentives, while fourth place was presented with a medal. Special prizes were also presented to the most outstanding player Joshua Lalbachan, the most improved player was Stephen Sankar, most promising player male was Nicolas Lawrence, while Angeli Persaud was the most promising female, most disciplined players Denzil Fraser and Levi Nedd Jr. The youngest player on show was eight years old John Andrews. Former national Junior Caribbean Girls doubles champion Petal Bennet received a special prize from Mr Ramdyal for being the only female participant in the open division. Speaking at the opening and closing ceremony, President of the GTTA two times former national champion, Godfrey Munroe, stated how encouraged and impressed he was with what he saw. The turnout and the talent displayed were very encouraging. He spoke about the GTTA’s drive to spread and improve the game in Guyana and lauded the Berbice Association for the excellent work they have been doing. He said that the GTTA aims to be more proactive and visit the sub associations more often to assist with coaching, training and other administrative matters. He promised to make more equipment available, especially to rural areas.
Sponsor, former Berbice player, Souvenir Ramdyal, stated how overwhelmed he was. He said, “When I taught about and planned the tournament I did not know what to expect. I was taken by surprise by the turnout and the immense talent. I hope it could be harnessed.” He said, as a Berbician his aim is to give back to the community. He remembers fondly his day as a young player when he hadn’t much. “I want to make sure that the present crop of players benefit from what I hadn’t, the opportunity to have in my young days.” He was so encouraged by what he saw he promised to make the tournament an annual affair and bigger and better activity. Mr Ramdyal was also thankful to former Berbice player Patrick Narine now overseas who also assisted with sponsorship.
Munroe, who helped to coordinate the activity, was accompanied by national player and Coach Edi Lewis.
The Berbice sub association is leading the way in the GTTA expansion drive and persons interested in being a part of table tennis activities in Berbice can contact – Floyd Conway No 623-8481, Gibran Hussein 628-4248, Richard Bacchus 673-9112, Johnny Persaud 333-2869, Stanley Lawrence 686-6431, Levi Nedd 641-9592 and Mrs. Jacqueline Murray on 619-2107.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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