Education Ministry receives 50 additional tennis tables from the People’s Republic of China

The Ministry of Education has received the second tranche of 50 tables for tennis from the People’s Republic of China through its Embassy here in Guyana.
This gift is aimed at promoting the sport of table tennis in schools.
The equipment was handed over today at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD).

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has said the world has moved past dividing sport and academia. She said the Ministry of Education is working hard to incorporate sport and what used to be considered extracurricular activities into the academic curriculum, because the benefits have been tremendous.
Minister Manickchand said the 50 tennis tables and complimentary racquets and balls will go to 50 schools, and the Ministry would ensure that the hinterland high schools and primary tops are the first beneficiaries, since they are often left behind.

She said the donation would bring tremendous benefits to students who are going to be exposed to the game. She said, “I could see us welcoming this very much in the school sector, and it becoming something that is hugely enjoyable to the thousands of children who will be exposed. So, we want to thank the Government and people of China, and commit to the ongoing prevailing friendship that we have between the countries.
“We believe that this kind of friendship, that manifests itself in the real transfer of skills, transfer of knowledge, is one that bodes well not only for the two countries, but for the wider community as a world.”

President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association, Godfrey Munroe, said the handing over was significant and symbolic for the development of sports, and as it relates to sports development in the education sector.

He said the donation is a testimony to the bond and friendship, respect and collaboration between the Government of China and the Government of Guyana. He said the journey to today’s proceedings began with many meetings between the GTTA and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
According to the GTTA President, with today’s presentation, opportunities for coaches to visit China to learn of their methodologies and to get to train, as well as opportunities for players from China to visit Guyana and train with our players, would be possible, and would provide support for the building of a home for the development of the sport in Guyana, a process which he said is currently ongoing.
“We believe that this project is significant in the context that it provides a framework and key pillars for the development of the sport, grounded in the education sector, because the education sector, as we know, has a large target audience of students whom we, as an association, rely on for talent identification and development,” Munroe added.
Munroe said development of the sport through the education sector would see the participation of students between the ages of six and 18 years old in all the education districts across Guyana.
“We will utilise our certified coaches, who will visit schools on a resident or cluster basis. They will engage and orient our students in training and in competition, among other developmental pathways. The programme will be supplemented with training for teachers at the targeted schools, to engage them in a 12-hour programme which will ensure that they become competent, at least to provide fundamental training for the students,” Munroe explained.
Today’s ceremony is the first official event that the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, attended since presenting her letters of credence to President Dr Irfaan Ali. She said the initiative between the Embassy, the Ministry of Education and the GTTA began in 2019 to promote table tennis in primary and secondary schools in Guyana.
She said that, at that time, 50 sets of table tennis equipment were donated to 50 primary and secondary schools covering the 10 regions, and this year, an additional 50 sets are being donated.
She said, “I believe that the equipment can inspire the students to have a stronger interest in table tennis, and playing table tennis can become one of their best memories in teenage years.”
The ambassador said she hopes the peoples of China and Guyana continue to use table tennis and other sports as a medium to enhance exchanges, mutual learning and mutual understanding, and to carry a friendship between China and Guyana for generations.
During today’s event, an agreement was signed between the GTTA, the Ministry of Education, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to promote the sport in schools, provide additional equipment, and establish training and exchange programmes for coaches and players. (MoE)