STTA Independence Championship a success

The nine month old Stanley’s Table Tennis Academy held a very successful inaugural Independence Invitational and its second championship, since the academy came into being.

The three-day championship finished on Thursday, October 23rd, at the Lion’s Den in Kingstown.{{more}}

Romando Maxwell beat Justin Robinson, 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, to take the Under-14 singles.

Maxwell earlier took out Harris Williams, two sets to nil, in the semi final, while Robinson did the same to Javier de Shong.

In the Under-16, Darel Dickson triumphed over Jabarri Jack, in a marathon five setter, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11,5-11, 11-7.

Dickson, in the quarter-finals beat Mickel Cupid 11-7, 11-4, and Johnathan Daniel 11-7,11-6, in the semi final.

Jack had an 11-5, 9-11, 17-15 win over Cruz John in the quarters and whipped Aaron Hope 11-8, 11-8, to set up the date with Dickson.

A relieved Dickson, told SEARCHLIGHT minutes after his triumph that he had to pull out all the stops to overcome a challenging Jack.

Dickson felt that the championship was a worthwhile event, and showered praise on Sean Stanley for his efforts to keep the sport alive.

Kamal Hunte took the Under-21 title. The south paw Hunte beat Damien Dublin 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8.

Dublin got the better of Dickson in the semi finals, with Hunte beating Romano Spencer, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5.

Hunte was also in the winner’s circle in the doubles.

He and Spencer teamed up to win Dublin and Daniel 11-4, 15-13.

Twenty nine players participated in the championship.

For former national coach and St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association President Sean Stanley, it was more than a championship, as overcoming some obstacles, which he believed were deliberately erected, gave more credence to his efforts.

Stanley said that through the assistance of several individuals and businesses, the championship was realised.

He lamented the parent body’s refusal to allow him use of the Old Government Printery Building, as a major hurdle that he had to surmount.

Stanley, who resigned from the top post in January, had held a similar in house championship in May at the Printery Building, which has temporarily become the home for the sport here.

The parent body, SVGTTA, had a similar keep fit event which was run off last Saturday morning at the Printery Building.(RT)