Guyana to host 2019 Snr. Caribbean Table Tennis Championships
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 27, 2018
Guyana proved victorious after submitting their bid at the annual conference of the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF), on Wednesday last, to host the senior Caribbean Table tennis championships in 2019. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall has been chosen as the designated venue for the games.
Guyana along with several other countries had campaigned in a process recently implemented by the CRTTF for host countries who wish to hold regional events.
The championships will be held before April 2019 so as to facilitate registration of athletes for the Pan American games. The Pan American Table Tennis Championships, will, in turn, act as the qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
Junior Vice-President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Gary Pratt presented the winning powerpoint presentation which was unanimously approved by the affiliates and executive committee of the CRTTF.
The bid was based on the following factors:
- Guyana’s legacy of hosting championships of exceptional quality that is both fan and player-oriented
- Hospitality, great protocol services media coverage, excellent facilities
- The development of Human resource capacity and a nucleus of persons with knowledge expertise and requirements for the hosting of future international events, ITTF world Circuit events and Regional events making Guyana a Table Tennis destination
- Provide the platform for the popularisation of the sport in Guyana and the region.
- Provide a platform to showcase Guyana’s tourism products and in turn develop the sector by bringing foreign exchange and visitors to the country.
- Enhance the profile of the sport and consolidate the developmental efforts of the GTTA to showcase the sport to new audiences and help to market and stimulate our programs.
According to the GTTA, they have already engaged and secured the commitment of key stakeholders and corporate support for the hosting of the championship.
The association is confident that hosting the games here will create a home advantage and be a great opportunity for the local teams in their quest for qualification at the Pan American Games and Olympic Games.
The GTTA has assured that the championships will allow fans to witness high-level table tennis which will serve as a catalyst to inspire the new generation of fans and players in the region.
Isaiah Braithwaite
Images: GTTA