President Ali meets with Table Tennis, Squash Associations

President Irfaan Ali recently met with athletes from various sports disciplines, predominantly young players, to discuss the future of their sports in what were described as candid conversations with the head of state.

For the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), discussions included priorities for the growth of table tennis throughout Guyana. A social media post from the Office of the President elucidated, “The officials, including President of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, shared their aspirations for establishing a dedicated headquarters, enhancing coaching programmes, and fostering career development for athletes. The association also proposed the integration of sports science, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality technology, to elevate coaching techniques and support athletes in their recovery.

Emphasis was placed on expanding the table tennis programme for schools across Guyana, with a particular focus on the primary education realm. This initiative aims to strengthen grassroots engagement and identify young talent early.
Additionally, discussions highlighted the enhancement of coaching development and the reinforcement of the national team’s structure and support mechanisms. Proposals were made to increase both domestic and international exposure through competitive opportunities and advanced training support systems.”

On the other hand, the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) shared its ambition to expand squash across all ten administrative regions of the country.
The social media post further revealed, “President Ali committed to developing the infrastructure required to facilitate this expansion, including communal spaces throughout the regions.
The talks also covered training and sponsorship for five local coaches to pursue elite coaching certifications at levels three and four in the Cayman Islands.

A top priority for the Association is to engage a full-time elite coach to overhaul the current programme, with the goal of enhancing the training quality and performance of national teams.
President Ali further pledged support in providing training and tournament kits, facilitating participation in international competitions, and completing the installation of air conditioning at the National Racquet Centre.”
The Honourable Charles Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, also attended both of the meetings alongside President Ali.