Bob Ballantyne says enough of national singles Table Tennis

The evergreen Robert “Bob” Ballantyne has called it a day, in trying to become the national open singles table tennis champion.

Instead, he will compete only in the masters, or any competition in which there are cash incentives.

Ballantyne indicated this to SEARCHLIGHT, last Wednesday, “I have had enough of this… I have been competing at nationals since I was 14 years, now I am 57”.

“Don’t look for me in the singles of nationals… I will play in the masters, because we don’t have a lot of players in that category,” Ballantyne stated.

He also noted that if at any occasion the OECS has a masters’ segment and the powers that be in the sport choose him to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines, he will gladly do so.

“I will also play in a tournament once there is money involved,” Ballantyne outlined.

Ballantyne began playing table tennis for St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1974 at the Windward Islands tournament.

His national representation continued until 1983, when he migrated to the USA.

On his return to St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1996, Ballantyne fell back into line and restarted the process of representing the land of his birth.

In 2011, Ballantyne attained his first OECS singles title when he beat St Lucian Adrian Albert in the final.

Apart from the defunct Windward Islands tournament and the OECS championships, Ballantyne has represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at other international championships.

Ballantyne also served as coach of national representative teams.

Ballantyne competed in his last national singles championships and was part of three finals of the 2017 edition.

He copped the masters’ title, with a commanding 11-4, 11-3, 11-5, dismissal of Nixon Louis on the night of finals, last Thursday at the West St George Secondary School.

Ballantyne and his sidekick Carlton Daniel, were unblemished in the doubles, championing that as well.

But Daniel had no mercy on his partner Ballantyne, when the two duelled for the open singles.

Daniel pounded Ballantyne 11-5, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, as the latter faded with fatigue.

Still willing to contribute to table tennis, Ballantyne says he would continue to contribute to the sport which he loves dearly, and endeavour to pass on his knowledge to young players.