National table tennis players return from Chinese training camp

Equipped with knowledge and new best practices, a group of four Guyanese table tennis players have returned to home soil after a month-long training camp in one of the world’s best table tennis nations.
The one-month engagement, lasting from their departure on November 25 to their return on December 27, 2018, saw Guyanese Joel Alleyne, Elishaba Johnson, Natalie Cummings and Nigel Bryan jetting off to the People’s Republic of China destined for the Hebei Zhengding Table Tennis Training Centre.
It was a month of eating, sleeping, and breathing table tennis as the Guyanese quad spent six to seven hours, six days per week on the training grounds. There the players had the chance to train, compete and test their skills in a world class training centre which were equipped with different levels of state-of-the-art gyms. The players also had the opportunity of interacting with coaches who provided drills and on the spot tips.
As such, this hands-on approach led the players to believe that an extended stay in the foreign land would lead to them becoming committed, world-class players. The four Guyanese indicated that they would be open to such possibilities.
Moreover, the quad noted that the training provided was of exceptional quality and high standards owing to the fact that many of the World’s top players visit and attend the centre. Additionally, players from nations such as Singapore, Sweden and Australia among others were present at the centre.
In a detailed account of their stay, the players shared that team members were provided with high-quality Chinese sparring partners/players who were very consistent in their approach; being helpful, encouraging, and strong enough to provide great sparring partners to push players to their limits with drills.
While noting that the environment truly provided an atmosphere for total concentration and development of one’s skills, the players disclosed that a variety of players who utilised different styles of competing were provided which allowed for great adaptation and learning to combat players with different styles rubbers tactical elements.
One participant even stated that, “The environment is for serious players and the results benefits of participants is reliant on their desire to excel work and put in the effort be receptive to coaching, learning and to adapt to challenges all tenants required for development in the game.”
They indicated that development of fitness, strength, consistency in drills (playing multi balls footwork), opponent-centred drills service and reception of serves work were key areas of focus for the Guyanese team.
To put icing on the cake, competitions were also held to provide match practice to reinforce training elements. The players indicated that a lot was learnt and they are now more confident in their consistency and feel they are better prepared to represent Guyana.
Taking into account all that they have learnt in China, the players expressed the key to their return was trying to continue such a regimen and system of training.
Aside from their rigorous work, the Guyanese had the opportunity to understand Chinese culture and forge meaningful relationships.
The training was facilitated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China through support from the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, and current technical and diplomatic engagements between the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the Government of Guyana through the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The GTTA believes such engagements will provide key benefits to raising the level of performance of Guyanese players and will enhance the cooperation between the peoples of China and Guyana.
The GTTA has sought to express their gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China; the People’s Republic of China Embassy (Guyana), through His Excellency, Ambassador Cui Jianchun; and Charge d’Affaires Chen Xillai and Wang Quiyi for their input and support in the provision of critical high-level table tennis training and other key initiatives and support programmes being offered to Guyana, aimed at supporting and improving the performance and development of Guyana’s table tennis.