Scotia Bank brightens local Table Tennis’ future

Over 90 persons have been given the opportunity to enhance their Table Tennis skills in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) Independence Tournament, which is taking place from October 24 to 26 at the West St George Secondary School.{{more}}

The tournament, which is sponsored by Scotiabank, involves players from all age groups competing in the respective categories: Under 10 boys and girls, Under-16 boys and girls, Under-13 boys and girls and senior men and women.

Matches in the Under 10’s and the Under 13’s will begin on Saturday from 9:00 a.m., while the Under 16’s and Seniors competitions get going today at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. respectively.

Public Relations Officer of the SVGTTA Sean Stanley is excited about the tournament.

“It is like a dream come true for the sport in St Vincent and the Grenadines as the numbers are staggering …We have 26 Under-16 boys, 5 Under-16 girls, 5 Under-13 girls, 21 Under-13 boys, 12 Under-10 boys, 7 Under-10 girls and 14 seniors,” Stanley told SEARCHLIGHT.

He noted that the association was able to attract those numbers as the tournament dovetails the efforts of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, whose Table Tennis initiative in the schools is paying dividends.

“I am particularly excited with the Under-10’s and the number of females participating as there is a struggle to keep females in the sport, not only Table Tennis,” Stanley said.

Stanley expressed gratitude to the Bank of Nova Scotia, which he said, like the SVGTTA, has vision, as they too see that investment in the youth is the way to go.

The three-day tournament concludes Saturday evening with a prize giving ceremony.(RT)