More than 60 young table tennis players from across Guyana are expected to sharpen their skills later this month when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), partners with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) to host the annual Nursery Table Tennis Sports Academy Summer (July/August) Camp – “Teach Them Young.”
The two-week programme, which has become a key part of Guyana’s youth table tennis development pathway, will run from July 14 to July 24 at the New National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.
This year’s edition will feature participants not only from Georgetown but also from Berbice, Bartica, Linden and Essequibo, reflecting a broader effort to develop the sport nationwide.
Sessions will be held Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, providing participants with 40 hours of instruction through both theoretical and practical training.
The camp targets boys and girls 16 years and under, with organisers expecting more than 60 participants to be introduced to the sport, receive structured coaching and develop their skills in a fun and competitive environment.
According to the organisers, the programme is designed to help players develop fundamental table tennis skills, prepare them for future tournaments, teach the basic techniques of the game, identify emerging talent, encourage participation in sport and foster healthy competitive habits from an early age.
A notable feature of this year’s programme is the inclusion of a novice category, aimed at attracting new players and expanding the sport’s grassroots base.
The camp will be conducted by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Level 1 and Level 2 certified coaches, who will provide technical instruction and practical training. Participants who maintain at least 90 per cent attendance will receive certificates upon completion of the programme.
Over the years, the Nursery Table Tennis Sports Academy has become one of Guyana’s most successful talent identification programmes, producing players who have gone on to represent the country at regional and international competitions.
Among the national players who began their development through the camp are Chelsea Edghill, Shemar Britton, Kyle Edghill, Priyanna Ramdhani, Khalil Ninvalle, Terrance Rausch, Jonathan Sankar, Matthew Khan, Trenace Lowe, Kristie Lopes, Jody-Ann Blake, Michelle John, Natalie Cummings, Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Warren Hackshaw, Sunil Logan, Vikash Panday, Joseph Johnson, Gibran Sarfaraz, Selenas Jackman, Jonathan Vanlange, Jasmine Billingy, Thuraia Thomas, Zamani Johnson, Abiniora Johnson, Edinho Lewis, Christopher Franklin, Jamaal Duff, and Kaysan Ninvalle, among others.
Table tennis has enjoyed steady growth in Guyana over the past decade, with the GTTA expanding coaching programmes, youth competitions and regional participation. The annual summer camp has played a significant role in that progress by introducing children to the sport at an early age while providing a pathway for talented players to advance through the junior and senior national ranks.
Organisers said this year’s expanded participation from communities outside Georgetown is expected to strengthen the sport’s development pipeline and provide more young players across the country with access to quality coaching and competitive opportunities.
