Table Tennis Jamaica targets $16m from can drive
TABLE Tennis Jamaica (TTJ) is hoping to raise approximately $16 million during its can drive, which begins today, for Jamaica to participate in the Pre-Cadet and Caribbean Table Tennis Championships to be held in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
The can drive is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.
According to Godfrey Lothian, president of Table Tennis Jamaica, the tag drive this morning will be at Western Sports in Tropical Plaza, and will also include exhibition matches by the island’s national players.
“We are seeking funds for three major table tennis championships this year, the local Junior and Senior Championships in Jamaica; Caribbean Senior Championships, both in Jamaica; and the Caribbean Region Pre-Cadet Under-11 and Under-13 championships in the Dominican Republic,” Lothian said.
He said TTJ is looking to raise at least $4 million to send 16 players, four coaches, a manager and a chaperone to the 2018 Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation Mini and Pre-Cadet Championships, to be held in the Dominican Republic from August 26-31.
It will be used for airfare, accommodations, equipment and gear, meals, and stipend for coaches and managers.
The TTJ president said last year Jamaica finished second with 17 medals in the four categories in the combined Under-11 and Under-13 for boys and girls, behind overall winners Dominican Republic, who ended with 19 medals.
“The Caribbean Region Senior Table Tennis Championships will be held in Jamaica from September 24-30 and we need over $10 million as host, as this is also a big undertaking by the association,” Lothian said.
He said the Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships will have players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and several other countries.
The $10,000,000 needed will be used for the rental of National Arena, accommodation, equipment and gear, transportation, and stipend for competition officials (umpires, referees, and cleaning crew).
Meanwhile, the TTJ National Junior and Senior Table Tennis Championships will be held from July 6-8, 2018 at National Arena.
Lothian said the cost for National Arena to stage the local championships is $1,500,000, and the TTJ will need additional funds along with $200,000 for trophies, prize money amounting to $150,000, umpires’ fees for $100,000, refreshments for $100,000, and balls amounting to $20,000.