Table Tennis Association affected by finance
-Full team for senior C/bean C/ships unlikely
By Faizool Deo
Stabroek News
July 29, 2004
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) is in desperate need of financial assistance to send their senior team to the 44th Central and Caribbean Table Tennis Championships from August 2-7 in Trinidad.
In an emergency press briefing yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, by the association it was revealed that the GTTA needed approximately $720,000.00 more in order for the full contingent of 10 persons to take part in the competition.
The team is expected to depart Guyana on Monday, but with the lack of finances it is likely that all the players will not be given a chance to represent the Golden Arrowhead.
Manager of the side Joel Wilburg, told Stabroek Sport, that to date the association had only raised $120,000.00, $100,000.00 of that coming from a take away lunch while the rest were proceeds of a raffle which will be drawn this weekend.
General Secretary of the Association Sydney Christophe, said that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had promised the GTTA some assistance. However, on Monday after a meeting, it was revelaed that the NSC will sponsor one player ($90,000.00) but that money would only be released if the GTTA satisfies a number of requirements which the association is working on at this time.
Christophe, who is also a player in the team, further stated that the business entities that have been contacted either have asked the GTTA to check back while others have clearly stated that they are not equipped at the moment to assist.
A few of the players have already tried to acquire the finances through family and friends.
Coach of the side Zhou Ping, who is on a one-year stint in Guyana, himself made an appeal to the government and the general public.
"I hope that the government and the general public give their support, I feel through one year of training, this batch of players have greatly improved, every one is trying very hard.
"At least funds should be made available for three players each from the male and female side to be represented."
The GTTA hopes to acquire finances to send eight players (four males and four females) and two officials to the championships.
The male players are Matthew Khan, Christopher Franklin, Sidney Christopher and Godfrey Monroe while the females are Michelle John, Jody Ann-Blake ,Bertnell Richards and Vida Moore.
Christopher Franklin, Christophe and Godfrey Monroe while the females are Michelle John, Jody Ann-Blake, Bertnell Richards and Vida Moore.