President of the Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) Godfrey Lothian has appealed to corporate Jamaica for assistance with funding in order to send a contingent to the World Championships which is one month away.

The association will require over $3 million in order to cover travel expenses for the players and their coach Stephen Grant, the Jamaica Observer was told.

Lothian said by telephone yesterday that the association currently has one sponsor, but he was reluctant in revealing the sponsor.

“We are working hard to get funds. We have one sponsor on board so far, but we still need funding.

“We have a very good crop of senior players who are very talented and experienced enough to do really well, but without the necessary funding, these guys won’t be able to represent their country,” Lothian said.

When asked if there was any assistance from government, he responded: “The Minister (of Sport) has been really great to the association.”

National representative Shenique Clare, who is set to make her second appearance at the World Championships, echoed the sentiments of the president.

“The JTTA has a lot of plans in place to move forward, but they are being hampered by the lack of funding, and in order for the association to make a leap, they will need the financial backing,” said the Glenmuir High old girl.

Clare will be partnered by young sensation Yvonne Foster and Kaydian Carney as the female representatives, while Kane Watson and Christopher Marsh will be joined by Simon Tomlinson to complete the boys’ party.

Tomlinson is currently furthering his skills in Miami, where he is under the guidance of former Jamaica Caribbean table tennis champion, Stephen Hylton.

“Apart from the lack of funding, things are going fine at the association (as) we are set to host the Junior Classics, which is our first tournament of the year and we are grateful to Reggae Jammins who will sponsor the event,” Lothian explained.

The first of a series of Junior Classics will be played over the weekend, and will serve as a trial in selecting players for the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation Cadet,

Under-15 and Under-18 championships, which will take place in Cuba on April 15-20.

The International Table Tennis Federation World Championships will take place on April 28-May 5 in

Tokyo, Japan.

— Sherdon Cowan