The annual Sprite National Table Tennis championships sponsored by beverage giants Banks DIH served off yesterday afternoon at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with play in the men's singles.

Up to press time defending men's champion Godfrey Munroe was not in action but the man he dethroned at last year's championships former Caribbean men's champion Sydney Christophe was.

Christophe was in action against Xenophen Goliath while number three seed Dennis France was also in action as were Matthew Khan, Paul Meusa, and Michael Waithe.

The championships were declared open by Banks DIH soft drinks manager Brian Choo-Hen himself a former national junior player.

Choo-Hen spoke of his company's commitment to not only table tennis but sports in general and added that his company was happy to see so many youngsters involved in the sport.

Assistant secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Joel Wilburg thanked Banks DIH for their assistance and said that the tournament's budget was about half a million dollars.

Wilburg said he wanted to encourage the younger players to give of their best in the championships so as to make themselves proud and in the long run be a credit to their country.

The competition continues this morning with the Pee Wee competition, the junior cadet competition, the cadet event and the boys and girls singles.

After lunch there will be play in the Under-20 singles, men's and women's doubles, boys and girls doubles and the continuation of the men's and women's singles.

The finals will take place tomorrow.