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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 28, 2016
GTTA gearing for nationwide schools coaching programme PRESIDENT of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe is looking forward to the implementation of a nationwide schools coaching programme to be staged in the new school term. Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Munroe said: “In terms of time frame, we might start the training in the new term and some kind of implementation with the coaches working the second month in the new term and going full blown after September.” According to the GTTA President, the areas chosen for the pilot programme are Regions 10 (Linden), 4 (Georgetown) 5 & 6 (New Amsterdam and Corentyne) and Region 7 (Bartica). The top GTTA official said: “We feel this is a transformational project that will truly transform the game, because it has to be developed along the lines of a mass participation, ” noting well that “the examination period for the Caribbean Secondary Schools Examinations (CSCE) period will inhibit us.” However, Munroe says the body has worked out its kinks and feels that the approach is positive adding that the programme, “Basically seeks to pilot table tennis in about 90 schools with hired coaches visiting schools, interacting with the students in the curriculum basis.” The programme is being sponsored by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Ministry of Education (MOE) and the GTTA. According to Munroe, “The central theme is orienting the students to the game of table tennis, teaching them the fundamental aspects, with the aim of creating school teams and leagues, culminating into the National Championships.” The table tennis boss feels that move would allow the GTTA to have athletes at an age group and skill level that
would be more competitive internationally, noting that the target group would be between ages 6 to 15 years with a team of at least four players at the under-11, under-15 and under-18 levels. “Already the tables have been procured coming from India, racquets, balls, physical preparation equipment which will reside with the coaches, robots, ladders, cones, parachuting and aerobic balls things of that nature,” informed the GTTA president. He continued by summarising the plans, saying Godfrey Munroe ultimately, the GTTA will basically have coaches who live in and around these schools running the programmes so as to make it easier. This, he admitted, may not be the ideal in all situations, but proposed a cluster-based approach with a central venue as a way to combat the issue of non-resident coaches. He also observed that “if you can’t get a coach to work within the school because he might be gainfully employed we might got to use the afterschool and weekend,’ adding “Once the hours are supplemented in terms of teaching them, we are happy with that and the stipend could be extended to them.” But he added: “We don’t want to make the imposition; we will just monitor and give advice. You’ve got to use what is particular to you.
Cricketers urged to show Nanan’s spirit
THE pastoral quote, “Death ends a life, not a relationship,” by Mitch Albom encapsulated the atmosphere at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal, Saturday, as local cricket and community icon Rangy Nanan was laid to rest at the village cemetery. The former Trinidad and Tobago off-spinner passed away at age 62 at the Couva Medical Centre on Wednesday morning after ailing for almost two years. Nanan, who played 94 First Class matches for TT and one Test Match against Pakistan (1980-1), was paid tribute to by numerous speakers who shared fond memories of him. Remembering Nanan’s lifelong legacy were Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) chief executive officer Suruj Ragoonath; TTCB president Azim Bassarath; ex-national cricketer Zaheer Ali; senior police officer Christopher Lewis; Justice Prakash Moosai; Nanan’s primary school principal Zahir Baksh; childhood friend Theo Cuffie; and Nanan’s son, Kevin, who delivered the eulogy. In Baksh’s opening address, he urged the current TT Red Force team to mirror the dedication and commitment that Nanan showed throughout his lengthy career as a cricketer and administrator. “They have to kill me to out (dismiss) me,” said a tearyeyed Baksh. “This is what Rangy lived by as a player and I believe that the national team has lost this style of competitive spirit.” Rangy developed his passion for the sport very early and has earned the respect of cricket fraternity throughout this country and the wider region.” Nanan’s close friend Cuffie, who has been residing in the Cayman Islands for the past two decades, broke down in tears while reminiscing on their brotherly relationship which began while growing up in the Preysal community. He recalled his final words with Nanan the very night before he passed on.
“We talked all the time and Rangy always used to call to update me on who died and who got married in the community,” Cuffie joked. “I spoke to him on Tuesday night and promised to call him on Wednesday but it was not to be, he had already passed away. This village of Preysal grew me as a child, just as they did with Rangy.” In Bassarath’s address, he extended condolences from the West Indies Cricket Board, and hailed the many works of Nanan both on and off Rangy Nanan the field. He also reminded the gathering present of Nanan’s 2015 induction into the TTCB Cricket Hall of Fame - a move which was well deserving of the ex-national player. Ali also lauded Narine who was a Preysal Cricket Club lifetime member. As part of a personal tribute to Nanan, he intends to approach the TTCB to host a special spin-bowling camp in memory of the deceased. Additionally, chairman of the Preysal Club for the past 17 years Tony Harford, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Nanan for his undying commitment to the Central-based team. With the start of the NGC Twenty20 Festival scheduled to get underway this week, all Preysal players will be fitted with black arm-bands in a move of respect and mourning of the ex-cricketer. Meanwhile, Kevin honoured his father by revealing to all the strength and loyalty he showed to his life partner and wife, Martha. She was paid a special tribute to as well, having been the backbone and lifetime supporter of Nanan (T&T Newsday article).
NBS second-division cricket….
Hicks, Mahadeo put Rose Hall Town Bakewell into semi-finals Tucber Park also through
ROSE Hall Town Bakewell held their nerves in a high-scoring quarter-final encounter to squeeze out Young Warriors by nine runs, and in the process advanced to the semi-finals of the New Building Society second-division 40-over cricket competition in BerDelbert Hicks bice. Played at the Area ‘H’ Ground, Rose Hall Town Bakewell batting first and were given a perfect start with openers Michael Hicks and Michael Felix adding 63 in 9.3 overs before Hicks fell for 44. Felix was joined by Delbert Hicks and the duo added 85 for the second wicket, before Felix was bowled for 45 at 148 for 2. Hicks continued in his hard-hitting style and together with Khemraj Mahadeo (30), put on 80 for the third wicket. Hicks eventually reached his century, but when the overs ended, Rose Khemraj Mahadeo Hall Town Bakewell had amassed 294-8, with Hicks contributing 120, including 11 fours and seven sixes. Bowling for Young Warriors, Zaheer Moakan took 4-40 and off-spinner Aaron Beharry had 2-38. When Young Warriors began their run chase they lost Mortimer Fraser without scoring. However, the other opener Waheid Edwards and Kassim Khan proceeded to put on 84 in just 12 overs, before Khan was removed by off-spinner Khemraj Mahadeo for 37. Edwards was then joined by Moakan and they continued to attack, putting on 36 in five overs, after which Moakan went for 27. Rudolph Baker and Edwards kept Warriors on track. The pair added 84 for the fourth wicket before Baker fell to Mahadeo for 44. Edwards continued to battle with some support from Amir Khan (23), but with 23 runs needed in the final over, Edwards eventually fell for 103 as Warriors ended on 285- 9. Khemraj Mahadeo ended with 5-25. Also through to the semi-finals is Tucber Park.
Surrey signs Rampaul in two-year deal
Surrey have further bolstered their bowling attack ahead of the new county season with the signing of former West Indies international Ravi Rampaul on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old, who played 18 Tests, 92 one-day internationals and 23 Twenty20s for the Windies, follows young South African pacemen Conor McKerr and Mathew Pillans through the door at the Oval in recent weeks. Director of cricket Alec Stewart told Surrey’s official website: ‘Ravi will add experience to our seam bowling attack and we look forward to him joining the squad.’ Surrey also confirmed that former England paceman Jade Dernbach is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a back problem. A statement on the club’s website read: ‘Following a scan on his injured back earlier this week, Jade Dernbach is due to have more diagnostic testing in six weeks time. ‘It is then hoped that he will return to cricket specific rehabilitation.’