'Winning bronze was commendable'
Latin American Table Tennis championships
By Clyde Pestano
Stabroek News
May 25, 2004
Guyana's bronze medalists at the recently concluded Latin American Table Tennis Championships in Venezuela. From left are Trenace Lowe, Jody Ann-Blake, Delisa Cummings and Michelle John. (Lawrence Fanfair photo)
The youthful Guyana female team returned with bronze medals from the recently concluded Latin America Juveniles, 18 and 21 and under table tennis championships in Venezuela.
Michelle John, Trenace Lowe, Jody Ann-Blake and Delisa Cummings secured bronze in the 18 and under team event, while Cummings returned in tandem with two Mexicans and collected a bronze in the 21 and under division.
When asked why they were unable to win gold, Cummings said: "We weren't good enough.
They [opponents] were of a higher level and more experienced." The player was of the opinion that the Chinese coach who trained them could only do so much and it was up to the players in the end to perform. She was however thankful to her parents, Jackie Ajeday (Jackie's Electronics), and all the other persons who supported her.
Junior Sportswoman of the year, Blake told Stabroek Sport that they fell down mainly because mentally they faltered when it mattered the most. She said their opponents had more exposure and experience in the international arena and they used that to their advantage.
Blake added that local players need to participate in more overseas tournaments so that they would become accustomed to a higher level of opposition as well as overcome the "nerves". She said government should plough more resources into table tennis since the sport can bring a lot of recognition to the country.
According to her, winning bronze was commendable when taking into consideration the fact that they lacked experience competing at such tournaments and had limited resources at their disposal.
John told this newspaper she was happy to have won a bronze medal, but was disappointed at not bringing home the gold medal. She said the team did their best under the circumstances. She was thankful to her parents, friends and sponsors and all the other individuals who made her participation at the tournament possible.
Lowe also gave thanks to her parents, sponsors Western Union, Nigel's Supermarket, Mr & Mrs Insanally and Dr Ming as well as individuals who assisted in making her participation a reality.
Linden Johnson who coached/managed the team told Stabroek Sport that the competition was not an easy one but the players gave of their best. He said he felt the girls would have won medals and he was happy that they did.
According to him, there are a few areas they would need to re-examine especially the mental aspect of their game. Johnson alluded to the fact that Matthew Khan reached the quarter finals of the under-21 boys' competition but bowed out because of "nervousness". He said Khan had done well and had defeated Venezuela's number one player.
Johnson expressed thanks to the media, Farfan & Mendes, Grace Kennedy (Guyana) Ltd, M. Beepat & Sons Ltd, Demerara Oxygen Co Ltd, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Ram & Mc Rae Chartered Accountants, BWIA, NP Electronics, Mrs Hardman, Mike Vieira and Johnette Gonsalves.
Along with the hosts, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Guyana took part in the championships.