Arima Hawks Table-Tennis president and head coach Anthony Joseph was elected the new boss of the T&T Table-Tennis Association (T&TTTA) when the associations held its annual general meeting at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Arena, on Saturday.
Edwards, a long serving servant of the sport, stood unopposed for the position which was left vacant by another long serving official, and outgoing president, Stantley Hunte.
In fact, it was almost a clean sweep by Joseph's late which marked the first time locally that a team or group will present a full slate of nominees for election.
Other members of Joseph's strong and experienced slate who were elected included Verna Edwards (2nd vice president), Clive Ramsingh (3rd vice president), Sarita Maharaj (assistant secretary), Janice Lewis (assistant secretary), Ray Fermin and Sherdon Pierre (Public Relations officer).
The only set of members of Joseph's team who failed to get the nod on the new executive were former national football team goalkeeper and youth team coach, Michael Mc Comie (1st vice president) and veteran Bob Roopnarine (general secretary) who was beaten to the post by Simon Spicer (1st vice president) and 12-time national women's champion Aleena Edwards (general secretary) respectively.
Joseph, is a past national team manager and current national senior team coach and well known businessman and has been involved in table tennis for over 35 years.
He previously served as Treasurer and vice president of the National Association while another member of his slate, Edwards, a Level III Coach and International Umpire as well as a qualified Physiotherapist.
Edwards is also a well-known Sports Administrator, former Caribbean women Singles' Silver medallist and past national champion.
Looking ahead to the elections, Joseph said, if his team is successful, there would be a good balance of representation in the executive comprising North Zone (three), South Zone (two), East Zone (two), Caroni Zone and Tobago Zone, with one member each.
Short Team plans
1. Re-branding of the image of table tennis–bringing table tennis into the 20th century;
2. Create a template for National Tournaments–time management;
3. Seek sponsorship for all National Tournaments;
4. Increase the prize monies;
5. Create an atmosphere of inclusiveness–all stakeholders;
6. Create more Club and Zonal Tournaments–thus taking off the burden from the National Body;
7. Provide stipends to National Senior Players.
Medium term plans
1. Create a development plan that includes all Primary Schools;
2. Increase the number of persons playing table tennis– recreationally and competitively;
3. Empower all our coaches to be involved in developmental programmes
4. Hire an overseas technical director to develop a comprehensive programme for Primary School Training with the view of creating future Olympians.
Long term plans
1. To have a table-tennis home
2. To be the sport of choice for all persons in society.