It’s a record breaking time in Cayman sports and now the Cayman Islands Table Tennis Association joins the list of sports organisations making history locally, through the first ever national table tennis team’ participation in the Islands Games at the Isle of Wight.
The organisation was launched in 2008, becoming the newest sports association to be officially recognised by the Cayman Islands government, the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee and the International Table Tennis Federation.
Starting with a grass roots love of the game and a desire to get the sport organised locally, a core of volunteers helped it grow in both youth and adult participation, as well as frequent visitors to the Cayman Islands joining the weekly action.
Organised table tennis has been played twice per week at the Clifton Hunter School Hall (formerly George Hicks Campus Hall) since November 2008 as well as Saturdays at the UCCI Multipurpose Hall.
In those three years several young and older players have emerged as top players in their respective categories. Although no tournament was held to determine official national seeding of players, regular competition amongst the enthusiasts saw five senior players and three junior emerge as the best proponents.
All eight players were considered for selection of a maximum of six to represent at the Island Games. Regrettably, there were no women in the running so at the end of all considerations, there were three seniors and one junior. The team is: Cy Elliott (capt), Ansel Tempral, Rohan Clarke and Dante Ramoon (junior). Robert Sairsingh is the team manager.
In the table tennis Association’s inaugural international appearance the hope is that they will perform well while facing seasoned teams at the Island Games. The British Islands of Guernsey, Isle of Man and Isle of Wight are expected to be very competitive and there may be some additional surprises also as the Games continues as the sport gained in popularity following huge interest from the last Olympic Games in China.
Sairsingh said: “The CITTA feels confident that its athletes and the team collectively will represent Cayman well and will gain some useful experience and exposure that will further revitalize and develop table tennis in the Cayman Islands in particular amongst the male and female youth.”
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