TT players assemble for early preparation
A number of Jamaica’s topnotch table tennis players have been assembled by the sports governing body to prepare for a number of tournaments scheduled for early next year.
The 26 men and 19 women called up by Table Tennis Jamaica (TTJ) have already commenced training on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours from 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the Jamaica Theological Seminary (JTS).
At the completion of the preparation phase and by extension the National Trials, the selected players will represent the island at the Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Cuba in March, while a junior team will participate in the Caribbean Under-15 Junior Cadet Championships in Guyana in April.
National coach and many-time Caribbean and Jamaica singles champion Sandra Riettie will lead the preparations with the assistance of Dale Parham.
Riettie explained that the request to commence early preparations, came from the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), to ensure adequate preparation time ahead of international tournaments.
“Usually the players go into training one month before being selected on the national team, and that was always too short to get them well prepared. Training the players for a longer period will give the coaches more time to correct their technical skills and flaws so that they can adjust earlier,” Riettie noted.
TRAINING SQUADS
Men — Simon Tomlinson, Kane Watson, Mark Phillips, Rajni Brown, Kyle Davidson, Alessio Tulloch, Jermaine James, Jamar Tulloch, Derrick Francis, Christopher Lyn, Nathan Curtis, Cezare Mcghie, Tyreese Nembhard, Ramone Kelly, Joel Butler, Dujuan Jackson, Andre Richardson, Conroy Henry, Azizi Johnson, Matthew Fung, Demar Williams, Jordan Wright, Rasheed Clarke, Johnathan Sudlow, Jayden Poorman and Leonardo Miller
Women — Solesha Young, Yvonne Foster, Tsenaye Lewis, Giana Lewis, Olivia Petrekin, Liana Campbell, Selena Khwalsingh, Dana Prendergast, Jannel Blake, Shamoy Lamont, Naveah Scott, Kelsey Davidson, Fiona Li, Saejha-monee Rose, Jada Brooks, Oneika Francis, Dadrian Lewis, Brittany Murray, Larissa Mclaughlin