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Veteran Byles plays to help Jamaica’s TT
August 25, 2023
Veteran table tennis player Roberto Byles insists that his continued participation in table tennis tournaments is to help build Jamaica's foundation by allowing the younger generation to gain top-level experience.
Byles, who will be 64 years old on September 30, was one of the highlights at the recent National Senior and Junior Table Tennis Championships, making all four senior finals - singles, over-40, mixed doubles and men's doubles. He, however, only won the men's over-40 event.
According to Byles, his participation in the tournament goes beyond playing, as he hosts and trains local players at his camp in Texas, United States of America (USA), where he operates Houston International Table Tennis Academy.
He also puts on camps in Jamaica and, two weeks before the National Championships, entertained local players Brian Blake and Gari Whyte in Houston.
"My whole aim is to help the younger kids, so I am just participating to pave the way for them.
"I've been coming here for the last two years, and I bring stuff for the kids, like blades and rubbers. We do camps for them, so it's not for me to play, really. It is to play and teach the kids some of my experience," Byles commented.
At the National Championships, Byles defeated Rudolph Sinclair 3-0 to take the men's over-40 title, then teamed with Gianna Lewis in the mix doubles, losing 3-1 to Christopher Lyn and Keeara Whyte.
He partnered with Alphanso Morris for the men's doubles, playing against Kane Watson and Gari Whyte in the final but losing 3-2. The veteran also contested the men's open singles final, losing 3-0 to first-time winner Mark Phillips.
Byles admitted it was a physically gruelling experience, and although he lost three of the four finals, he insists his main goals were to have fun and share his experience with the young players. He maintains that the tournament was a win for him.
"I am happy. I play for the fun of the sport, so whatever happened is cool. It is not to compete that I come here. It is to help the kids improve," told STAR Sports.
Byles had little time to rest on the final day of the National Championships, as he went from one game to the next, with the physical toll on his body impacting the outcome of the finals he contested.
"Yes, it did take a toll on me, but I do not train because I only came to play for the kids. I played with the kids for them to gain experience, and they carried me in all the events, and we went to finals, but as long as the kids show improvement and a good attitude, it is a win for me," he said.
"The future is bright for Jamaica table tennis. We need to focus more on the kids, get them training more and uplift their standard."
