SVG host evening of Table Tennis with Cuban cricketers

The SVG Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) and the Arnos Vale Education Sports and Cultural Organization (AVESCO) held an evening of table tennis for the visiting Cuban cricketers at the Murray Heights Hotel on Saturday, 25th April.{{more}}

Two three-member team matches were played with St. Vincent ‘A’ led by Jeff Trotman, defeating Cuba ‘A’ 3-1 while St. Vincent ‘B’, which included Phil and Urias Dickson, went under to Cuba ‘B’ 2-3.

The open singles, which had about ten participants was won by Umberto Herrera of Cuba.

Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority, Murray Bullock and proprietor of the Murray Heights Hotel, also participated in the fun-filled event, which was fully supported by the two entities that he represents.

SVGTTA President, Alonzo Primus presented a plaque of appreciation to the Cuban cricketers, on behalf of the sponsors and organizers of the activity.

Meanwhile, the SVGTTA held a coaching clinic at the Mustique Primary School on Wednesday 22 April. The exercise, which was part of the National Olympic Committee’s Grassroot Talent Identification Programme, received the full participation of the 31 students attending the school – from Kindergarten to Grade Three.

National coach Robert ‘Bob’ Ballantyne and SVGTTA Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Elliott Charles both travelled from St. Vincent to conduct the clinic. They were assisted by former national player, Junior Sutherland, who works and resides in Mustique and who coordinated the event.

Principal of the school, Errol Belgrave, expressed full appreciation of the exercise and asked that there be follow up programmes. Both Charles and Ballantyne promised that the SVGTTA will conduct follow-up coaching programmes in Mustique.

In the previous week, on Saturday 18 April, the SVGTTA held a coaching clinic at Colonarie as a follow-up to one held there in March, when the SVGTTA did an initial coaching session and donated a table tennis board, racquets and balls, to encourage the youths of the community to continue playing the game.

The SVGTTA plans to extend its Grassroot Talent Indentification Programme to Canouan very shortly.