Leah Cumberbatch battles odds to capture table tennis title

First diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2012, 10-year-old Leah Cumberbatch has taken to the sport of table tennis, which is assisting her with her recovery process.{{more}}

And she showed what she is made of by becoming the first ever Primary Schools’ Singles Female Champion.

Having started playing just three months ago during a camp held at the West St George Secondary School in August, Leah, a grade five pupil of the Kingstown Preparatory School copped the title last Friday, when she stopped Zola Fraser of the Gomea Methodist School in straight sets, 11/9, 11/3.

The camp where she was introduced to the sport was organized by the Division of Physical Education and Sports, in conjunction with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association.

Leah’s father, Norman Cumberbatch, who was on hand to give her moral support, was equally happy to tell SEARCHLIGHT of his daughter’s recovery and how the sport of table tennis is helping her.

“She loves the sport and with the encouragement of Sean (Stanley) and of course, family, she has done well so far,” Norman stated with a sense of gratification.

He recalled that she spent the entire year (2012) at a hospital in Canada, where she underwent chemotherapy, but while in Canada she was able to attend school regularly.

The elder Cumberbatch said that it was while in Canada that one of the doctors who was looking after Leah reassured him that, “Cancer is not a death sentence.”

Continuing his reflection on his daughter’s challenges, Norman revealed: “In January 2013, we started to go over to Barbados every six weeks for treatment.

“… After that we started doing treatment at a local laboratory here and that was every six months.

“In May 2013, she stopped all treatment, but she continued doing tests every three months thereafter…. Up to today, all blood tests have shown that she has no trace of cancer,” Norman boasted.

But according to Norman, there are some persons who have helped him along the way.

“Special thanks must go out to the Bank of Nova Scotia, Scotia Bank Canada; the National Broadcasting Corporation, who has paid for all the blood tests she is currently doing,” Norman said.

He plans, however, to continue to give his daughter all the support she needs in all facets of life, including her table tennis.(RT)