By Tyriq Walters
The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Guyana Limited, in collaboration with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), made a significant donation of table tennis equipment to Indigenous schools.
The donation, valued at approximately four million dollars, was presented on Thursday at the CNOOC Headquarters on High Street.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap in table tennis by providing essential equipment to schools in regions one, four, six, seven, eight, and nine.
The President of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, emphasized that this investment will foster the development of new athletes across Guyana.
Munroe highlighted that the equipment, including tables, balls, and racquets, will be distributed to schools in the identified regions and accompanied by complementary training to ensure effective utilization.
Deputy Chief Education Officer Marti De Souza expressed optimism that the donation will enable children in the hinterland to showcase their potential.
He noted that with the right resources and training, these children can make significant strides in table tennis and potentially compete at national levels.
A student representative expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, underscoring the positive impact the equipment will have on their sports activities.
In detail, five schools in Region 1 will receive the equipment. Orealla Primary in Region 6 will receive one table, while Three Mile Secondary in Region 7 will get two tables.
In Region 8, Kato Secondary and Mahdia Secondary, along with four other schools in Region 9, are set to benefit.
Additionally, in Region 4, the GTTA will donate a table to the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre.