Burke, Edwards defend Solo t-tennis crowns

REEZA BURKE and Aleena Edwards are expected to defend their respective men’s and women’s singles crowns as the Solo National Table Tennis Championships begin at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex today at 9 am. But today will feature action in the teams, doubles and veterans categories while the men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ singles will take centre stage tomorrow. The tournament will end on Wednesday with the finals in the respective singles. The players will be looking to make a serious impression on the national selection panel, led by former regional winner Mansingh Amarsingh, as the Caribbean Championships is due to take place from August 1-8 at the UWI Sports and Physical Education Centre, St Augustine.

Defending team champs Arima Hawks, with 2002 and 2003 national men’s singles king Burke in their roster, will field an “A”, “B” and “C” team amongst the men and a strong outfit in the women’s. Other teams with an outstanding chance of dethroning Hawks are Solo Crusaders, featuring national players Anthony Brown and Courtney Pugh; Gladiators, which includes the Edwards siblings Aleena, Astra and Aaron; Patna, with the improving Khellon Roach in their lineup; D’Abadie Youths, led by veteran Lionel Darceuil; Oxford; Wazuri and Calder Hall. In tomorrow’s singles, Burke will face tough competition from Brown, Pugh, Darceuil, Curtis Humphreys, Aaron Edwards and Arnold Felix while Aleena Edwards will have to withstand the challenges of sister Astra, Natalie Montes, Nicole Motital, Shelly-Ann Wilson and Marilyn Lewis in order to retain her title.