Proud Tomlinson hopes to make the best of unexpected opportunity

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

For 19-year-old table tennis player Simon Tomlinson, being selected to feature for Jamaica at the fast-approaching Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, represents the highest point of his budding career.

The University of Technology business major has been knocking on the door for several years and is viewed by some to be a leading element among the sport's new breed of players.

Tomlinson, who finished second in the qualifiers earlier this year, is eagerly awaiting the chance to drape himself in the Jamaican colours on what will easily be the biggest stage on which he will parade his skills.

Very proud

"I'm very proud that I'll be able to represent the country at such a young age," said Tomlinson. "It presents with a chance to expand my game as widely as possible."

The teen, who has represented Jamaica on three occasions at the Caribbean Junior Championships, Latin American Championships and this year's Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico - his first senior team call-up - is looking to use the Commonwealth Games as a learning experience.

He is nonetheless determined to do his best and is confident the he will have a successful showing at the October 3-14 Games.

"I think that this team, though a relatively young one, will do well against the other countries and a we are expecting to have a good showing. We are all going there to do the best for our country and I'm sure I will have a good tournament as well," said Tomlinson.

"It's great and I'm really looking forward to playing at that level and getting the experience because it's not very often that you get to play against the kind of opponents that we will be facing," he added.

Great promise

Though showing great promise over the past few years, Tomlinson admitted to being somewhat surprised that he made the team, but is now focused on doing everything in his power to make a solid impression at the Games.

"I was a little surprised about the call, even though I came second in the trials and so I was an automatic selection. But doing that well was a bit of a shock. It was unexpected, at least, but now I'm just looking forward to the opportunity," Tomlinson shared.

Jamaica's table tennis contingent to the Games features newly crowned national champion, Joseph Dibbs; Imani McPherson and Kane Watson. Coach Winston Cowans and Jamaica Table Tennis Association president, Keith Garvey, will accom-pany the team.