Jamaica is setting its sights on reclaiming the top spot in Caribbean table tennis over the next decade, with the recent launch of a summer camp aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent. The Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA), in collaboration with Skills Unlimited Table Tennis Academy (SUTTA) and Taylor and Chancellor Halls at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, hosted the inaugural SUTTA/Taylor Hall/Chancellor Hall Table Tennis Summer Camp from July 15 to August 14 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. This camp marks the first step in what is intended to be a series of initiatives aimed at re-establishing Jamaica’s dominance in the sport regionally.

The camp, which targeted both junior and senior athletes, was designed to enhance the skills of Jamaica's table tennis players, providing them with the training necessary to compete at the highest levels regionally. Dale Parham, Director of the Program, president of SUTTA, and head coach, expressed his hope that the camp would become an annual event, setting the foundation for sustained development in the sport.

Kingston College's table tennis coach, Colin McNeish, who also played a key role in the program, emphasized the importance of year-round preparation. He believes that with consistent training and dedication, Jamaican players have a strong chance of reclaiming the top spot in Caribbean table tennis within the next decade.

The camp featured several of Jamaica’s top under-19 national players, including Jayden Ebanks, Tsenaye Lewis, Gianna Lewis as well as Navaeh Scott and Kira Scott.  Also in attendance were Karecia Peterkin, Gmarco Smith, Kayon Denton, Azizi Johnson, and Ajani Spencer. Under-11 champions Malone and Shacoil Bird, also participated, gaining valuable experience and exposure.

JTTA President Ingrid Graham praised SUTTA for launching the summer program, highlighting the significant improvement in both national players and novice participants. She noted that many young players had been lacking sufficient play time, making the camp an excellent initiative to address this gap. Graham also expressed gratitude to Taylor Hall and Chancellor Hall for providing the venue, which allowed the camp to avoid rental costs.

Coach Dale Parham, Carl Chang of Western Sports and JTTA President Ingrid Graham 

Athol Hamilton, Taylor Hall's Student Services and Development Manager, echoed the importance of the camp, stating that supporting it was an easy decision given Taylor Hall’s strong investment in sports. Hamilton also indicated that efforts are being made to make the facilities available throughout the academic year to ensure ongoing training.

National players Gianna and Tsenaye Lewis shared their enthusiasm for the camp, underscoring the importance of consistent practice in honing their skills. Both sisters expressed a desire for the camp to become a permanent fixture on the calendar, citing its significant benefits for their development as players.

Carl Chang of Western Sports, who attended the camp's closing tournament, underscored the camp’s role in reviving table tennis in Jamaica. Although Western Sports is not the title sponsor, they have provided support for junior-level players, further contributing to the growth of the sport.

 The summer camp also served as a crucial preparatory phase for the players ahead of the Jamaica Table Tennis Association National Senior & Junior Championships, scheduled to take place from September 6-8 at the National Indoor Sports Complex.

The success of the camp was made possible through the support of Taylor Hall, Chancellor Hall, JTTA, SUTTA, the Sports Development Foundation Jamaica, Western Sports, Optical Solutions International Limited, and Graham International Consulting and Research INC. These partnerships reflect a collective commitment to ensuring that Jamaica once again becomes a dominant force in Caribbean table tennis.