OFTEN FORCED to play second fiddle to the men, two of Barbados’ top female players will attract their fair share of attention tonight when the finals of the Senior National Table Tennis Championships serve off at the Table Tennis Centre at 7 p.m.
The women’s final will bring together left-hander Sherrice Felix and current champion Krystal Harvey.
“It could go either way. We are accustomed playing each other,” Harvey told SUN ON SATURDAY on the eve of the much-anticipated contest.
The champion’s talent came to the fore while she was a student at the now defunct Louis Lynch Secondary School and she has also benefitted from being a part of the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP).
Now a second lieutenant and administration officer at the Paragon Base, the career soldier is constantly challenged to find adequate training time, but still enjoys competing whenever possible.
While optimistic of her chances in tonight’s match, Harvey, who also holds a degree in psychology from the University of the West Indies, recognizes that whatever the outcome, her performance will not define her status in local table tennis.
“Anytime I play competition I go all out to win but the reality is that local fans assess you on what you do at the regional and international level,” Harvey said.
Felix, who was also a part of the BDFSP, was on the Barbados senior team while still a student at The St Michael School. Since returning from Canada where she completed a degree in business administration, Felix has been building a career as a financial advisor with Sagicor.
“I feel I have a good chance. The hard work I have put in over the years and the experience I have gained will see me through,” Felix said looking forward to the final.
“I am up against a very tough opponent but without a doubt I have confidence in my own game,” she added
At the Table Tennis Centre, Nursery Drive, St Michael, there will be action among the juniors from 11 a.m. until noon and again from 6 p.m. but as the tournament reaches a climax, most of the attention will focus on the women’s final and men’s singles final between Aaron Barker and Mark Dowell,
Finals will also be contested in doubles and mixed doubles along with the various categories of the rated tournament and classified championships. (PH)
