Table Tennis: Beau Vallon Youth Championship-Young players produce lightning on rainy Sunday |20 September 2006

The competition, which saw the participation of under-16 players from six schools around Mahe, was played on a knock-out basis.

In the boys’ division one category, Ronny Marengo met almost no resistance from Aleg Almaze as he went on to win the final in straight sets - 3-0 (11-7 11-6 11-6).

In the boys’ division two final, the rivalry between Anil Nibourette and Mohamed Barreau continued and it brought some tension in the hall as the spectators remained on the edge of their seats during the entire match.

Barreau started the match with a more offensive approach and more concentration as he clinched the first two sets 11-8 and 11-9. Pushed by a very vocal crowd, Nibourette redeemed himself, grabbing the next two sets 11-8 and 12-10 to level the game at two sets apiece. In the fifth and decisive set, the two youngsters displayed some good techniques as they battled fiercely for the title. Nibourette committed fewer mistakes and emerged as the winner.

In the boys’ division three final, Jean-Yves Ernesta had the winning touch. After overcoming Shariff Antoine’s challenge early in the first set, he won the game in straight sets – 3-0 (12-10 11-5 11-5).

Angel Landry twice came from behind to beat Petrina Mellie and clinch the girls’ division one title. After disappointingly losing the first set 4-11, Landry improved her game in the second set which she won with an 11-9 score. Realising that Landry’s game had improved, Mellie decided to push a little harder on the accelerator and she reclaimed the lead after wining the third set 11-6. But it was no denying Landry the title as she entered the fourth and fifth sets with more determination and concentration, winning 11-7 and 11-8 to emerge as the winner.

Laura Sinon displayed better techniques and more determination as she glided past Petra Léon in straight sets – 3-0 (11-4 11-7 11-9) – to take home the girls’ division two crown.

Brothers Nathan and Dominic Woodruff were awarded the trophy for best effort, whilst Shane Labrosse clinched the best player’s award. The best attendance award went to Anthony Mangroo. The prizes were handed over to the winners by Beau Vallon district administrator Germaine Valentin.

According to a member of the organizing committee, the competition which was entirely sponsored by the Beau Vallon district administration, forms part of the Seychelles Table Tennis Association’s (STTA) aim to decentralise the sport.

It is expected that this event will become an annual competition and feature on STTA’s calendar.

Meanwhile, the next event on the association’s calendar is the September Monthly Challenge competition which will be held this coming Sunday at the Omnisports Gym, Roche Caïman.

R. D.