Stanley Academy stages invitational TT championships
Sports
May 16, 2008
Stanley Academy stages invitational TT championships

The Stanley Table Tennis Academy held its inaugural in house invitational championships last Saturday at the Old Government Printery.{{more}}

Competition was in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories. There was also doubles play.

Winning the Under-15 category was Dominic Evans. In the quarter finals Evans defeated Jovan Carrington 2-1. Evans won 11-9, 7-11 and 11-8. Then Evans beat Kavir Gaymes in straight sets in the semi final. He had wins of 11-7 , 11-7.

Evans proceeded to close out Jabarri Jack, 11-9 , 11-9, in the final.

The Under-20 category was taken by Kamal Hunte.

Hunte defeated his side kick Romano Spencer, 11-8 , 10-12 11-3, to advance to the semis, where he whipped Gaymes 12-10,11-6.

And in the Final, Hunte got the better of Damien Dublin, but had to sweat. Hunte rebounded from 9-11,in the first set to win 11-6, 12-10, in the second and third, respectively.

Hunte and Spencer took care of the doubles. They defeated Jonathan Daniel and Damien Dublin, 12-10 and 13-11.

The most improved player was Rasani Roberts. The youngest participant was nine year old Justin Robinson.

Head of the academy Sean Stanley, told SEARCHLIGHT that he was impressed with the participation, enthusiasm and standard of play.

Stanley, a former President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association and national coach, who tendered his resignation from the top post at the beginning of the year, said he plans to make the event an annual affair. Stanley also said that efforts are being pursued to have the four month old academy face off with other neighbouring clubs in invitational championships.

Stanley revealed that it’s only through his love for the sport and to see young players come through that the sport of Table Tennis is being remembered presently. An outspoken Stanley said that it is his academy that is keeping Table Tennis alive, here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He pointed to a reduction in the number of persons involved in the sport, since his exit from the top administrative position.

“Nothing happening”, Stanley said emphatically. (RT)