Over 40 schools to line up for tournament
published: Saturday | March 4, 2006

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

MORE THAN 40 prep, primary and high schools are registered to take part in the first instalment of what is expected to be an annual event, the Fidelity Motors/Western Sports 2K6 youth development table tennis tournament, when it serves off at 9:00 a.m. today at the National Arena.

Many youngsters from all over the island will look to showcase and hone their skills in a competition put on by Youth Development Table Tennis (YDTT), with the aim of using youth development as a means of continuing to push sport forward.

"The genesis of this event has its roots in focusing on the development of the sport among the youngsters of Jamaica," said the chairman of the organising committee of YDTT, Robert Hyatt.

"Eventually, we want it to be a situation where every school in Jamaica has a vibrant table tennis programme and every student has a chance to play table tennis as an alternative sport in their school," he said.

Some schools taking part in the event include Wolmer's, Kingston College, Calabar, St. George's, Campion, Pembrooke Hall High, Titchfield, Duhaney Park Primary, Meadowbrook High, St. Mary and Manchester. The events will be boys' and girls' Under- 10 and Under-13 singles and doubles, boys' and girls' Under-17 singles, doubles and mixed doubles and Under-19 singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

In addition to that, there will also be other events including a seniors invitational and a coaches' corner which will provide tips to players looking to develop their skills.

There will also be awards presented to former players and administrators including Winston Oliver, Fernando Roberts, Winston Cowan, Richard Stephenson, Maurice Foster, Dave Foster and Joy Foster. The entrance fee to the event will be $200 for adults and $50 for children.