NSC concludes ‘TEACH THEM YOUNG’ summer table tennis camp

The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), has staged a ‘TEACH THEM YOUNG’ summer table tennis camp at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.
Commencing on Monday July 26 and ending on Friday August 20, the camp held sessions from 10:00h to 12:00h from Monday to Friday under COVID-19 guidelines.
The objectives of the camp included: To help players with the basic skills; help players to be better prepared for future tournaments; train and introduce students to the basic techniques of the game; discover the skills of children; talent identification; amuse children with sporting skills; and develop habits for healthy competition.
The programme targeted players 16 years and under. More than 25 players (boys and girls) were exposed to the introduction, orientation, teaching and praxis of the sport of table tennis in a fun way.
A key feature of the camp was the staging of the novices’ category which was geared to attract the players who participated in the camp. In past years, this camp brought out some of the top cadet, junior and senior players in the country.
The event started with some 13 participants, and expanded to more than 25 when the camp ended. It has been a success, as the target was to have 30 participants and the GTTA has seen that amount, which is good for table tennis in Guyana.
Of the 25-plus participants, 90 per cent were first-timers, 70 per cent were under-13s, and approximately 40 per cent were females; while the camp was held under the theme ‘Teach Them Young’ table tennis camp.
Guyana’s top female player Chelsea Edghill is a product of the 2006 edition of this camp, along with several other male and female players. It was good to see the turnout of the children 16 years and under, who could be nurtured for the future. Also, the increased attendance of females was encouraging.
The camp is an annual initiative of the National Sports Commission. It has the central aim of targeting players between the ages of four and 16 years old in order to have 30 players (boys and girls) introduced to the sport of table tennis, its orientation, teaching and praxis in a fun way.
The objectives include helping players with the basic skills, assisting players with preparation for future tournaments, train and introduce students to the basic techniques of the game, discover the skills of children, talent identification, amuse children with sport skills, and develop habits of healthy competition.
The camp is conducted in theoretical and practical segments; that is, participants have firsthand experience of the sport, as well as are knowledgeable of it. The duration is for 40 hours, lasting four weeks.
The panel of coaches includes certified International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) level 1 and level 2 coaches (Xenophon Goliah and Linden Johnson), participants receive certificates only if they have an attendance of 90 per cent or higher.