CNOOC/GTTA/MOE National Schools Championships: Santis, Christ Church, St Rose’s secure wins in Region 4/Georgetown leg

The Georgetown leg of the CNOOC Petroleum/Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)/ Ministry of Education (MoE) National Schools Table Tennis tournament engulfed the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, featuring over 300 players who were registered and attended the launch of this edition.
The Georgetown leg was coordinated under the guidance of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) level two coach and General Secretary of the GTTA, Linden Johnson; and Leona Kyte, ITTF level one coach and ITTF national umpire.
During the opening ceremony, Manager of the CNOOC Regional Office Mr. Anand Gohlil, and Senior Advisor on Government Relations, Bayney Karran, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited were on hand to serve off the competition. Gohlil indicated to the students and teachers present, “CNOOC is very pleased to collaborate with the various stakeholders in bringing these key championships to fruition, and the benefit of you, the student athletes of all the participating schools across Guyana. We are happy to see the large turnout. CNOOC, as a key investor in the Oil and Petroleum industry in Guyana, as part of its CSR mandate, recognizes the value of contributing, giving back, and developing the talents and capacities of young Guyanese. This is manifested in this activity and the many projects we support and continue to support. Sports play a key role in our development in terms of keeping us healthy, fit, and leading a more productive life. I charge you, the players, to have fun competing for your schools. Give of your best, and may the best team and players win.”

On the other hand, Bayney Karran outlined the value of sport to the holistic development of the student. He outlined that CNOOC Petroleum was truly pleased to partner with, and support, this event.
“CNOOC Petroleum is truly pleased to sponsor this competition. It is geared towards providing a nationwide platform for student athletes to develop their talents, learn lifelong learned skills while representing their schools, competing against other schools, making new friends, inculcating good value systems, camaraderie, play, and give of your best,” Karran shared.
The competition took on an exciting course when matches continued on Thursday last at the Mandela Avenue venue, when play in the Boys 19 Years and Under group matches commenced.

In this category, St. Roses High coached by ITTF level one coach Gavin Lowe created a buzz when they defeated St Joseph High by a 3-0 margin in what can be deemed an upset in the competition, given that St. Joseph High fielded national Junior player Travis Lyken.
Christ Church Secondary ‘A’ secured two wins in their group stage matches when they defeated Christ Church ‘B’ and St Roses High ‘B’. Then Bladen Hall turned back the challenge of Good Hope Secondary by A 3-2 margin in another keenly contested match.
In the Girls 19 Years and Under matches National Edition, St. Stanislaus College, led by national players Jasmine Billingy and Akira Watson, fended off the challenge of Good Hope’s Shackey Damon and Angel Robinson to become winners of the Region 4 Girls 19 Years and Under category.