Daniel eager to serve

Cuba-based national table tennis player, Carlton Daniel is eager to return to put all that he has learnt into practice.

The 3-year-old Daniel is in his last year of study in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports.{{more}}

“I will really like to make some changes not only in table tennis but at the national level with the wealth of knowledge I have acquired”, Daniel told SEARCHLIGHT last Monday.

“Now things are changing in terms of coaching of table tennis, I see myself playing a big role with that aspect”, he added.

His desire to contribute has been inspired by him not having such expertise at his disposal when he was a junior player.

“I really want to do some coaching at the beginners and junior levels”, Daniel said with a sense of passion.

And his thesis, which should consume his last year of the five year programme is hinged on his love for table tennis, as it is based on the tactics and techniques of the sport.

Still enthused to continue to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Daniel is embracing the opportunity afforded him to receive an education in the Spanish speaking Caribbean country.

“I have now greater mental toughness and still have a couple more years to give at the senior level”, Daniel projected.

“I am receiving a very good well rounded knowledge in sports”, remarked Daniel, a former Under-21 table tennis champion here.

He revealed that although table tennis is his area of specialisation, he has received tutoring in other sporting areas such as Athletics, Baseball, Basketball and Boxing.

“The programme is broad based, apart from that you do bio mechanics , sports testing physiology among other fields”, Daniel said.

He thinks that his life thus far is a testimony to youngsters who are considering walking the road of deviance and destruction.

Recounting a spinal problem caused him to give up the sport of football, Daniel said his life could have turned in a different direction.

“ On reflection I could see what would have happened to me if I did not take up table tennis, my life would have taken a different direction.

Thankful for his choice, Daniel, back home on vacation until the end of August, wants to see national awareness given to physical education and sports, which he thinks can assist in social changes.

“We don’t give the importance to sports and physical education they deserve’, Daniel opined.

“We need to study the positive effects that sports and physical education and the benefits of physical activities have on a nation”, he said.

A passionate Daniel stated that this also will be an area that he will be an advocate for change when he returns to St. Vincent and the Grenadines next year.(RT)