after two rounds, Bermuda Table Tennis Association is battling to get back on track.

President Mansfield Smith described the decision made by the champions as "regretful'' but said the association was committed to seeing the sport rebound.

"It's sad to have a team like that withdraw from all competition for the rest of the season, but life goes on and we will endeavour to do our best so that table tennis continues to go forward,'' said Smith.

The president said he was excited about arrangements to have a coach from Canada on the Island for a month to conduct clinics. Francois Ternier of Montreal is scheduled to arrive next week. His involvement will be with young people in schools, churches, youth centres, clubs and with the senior players.

"We are anxious to get more of our young people involved in table tennis,'' said Smith. "It's the ideal sport for both boys and girls who would like to avoid the more physical activities that exist out there today.'' Elliott Primary School gymnasium has been confirmed as the main venue for courses that will take place on November 4, 11 and 18 from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. All will be free of charge.

Also using the same venue on those dates will be the Bermuda teams chosen for the US Open tournament in Detroit next month. Their training times will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bermuda's teams depart for Detroit on November 22.

Smith will be the manager while Ternier will travel as coach and Frederick as tour secretary.

Dennis Pearman heads the A team with other members being Nick Frost, Philip Hackett, Derron Trott and David Waltham. Frederick leads the B team that will include Myron Piper, Alden Ray, Owen Hunt and Calvin Butterfield.

Long-time stalwart and former Bermuda champion Dexter Smith is unavailable, but the senior team appears to be a formidable one with Waltham making his international debut.

According to Smith the arrival of coach Ternier is a part of the BTTA's continued development programme which has seen coaches being brought in from abroad on a regular basis for several seasons.

"Our aim is to bring in international coaches as often as possible. Our intention is to get youngsters involved in the sport at a very young age and to further improve those who are already in our programme,'' added Smith, who hopes to revive the annual Youth Open tournament this season.

The BTTA have obtained Social Club as a coaching venue for November 8 and 15 where sessions will start at 7.30 p.m. primarily for players over the age of 18. But there remain openings for Ternier's services on the evenings of November 1, 6 and 13.

Smith noted that organisations wanting to host clinics could call league official Rawle Frederick at 236-9000 during the day or the president himself at 297-0518 after 6.p.m.