Newsday Thursday, December 12 2013 The national table tennis fraternity paid their final respects to one of the sport’s stalwart representatives yesterday, Gordon Delph, who was laid to rest at the St Theresa’s RC Church, Woodbrook, after succumbing to a battle with brain cancer on December 4. The former British West Indian Airways (BWIA) Giants player and coach passed on at age 56. Attending Delph’s final goodbye was Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, Trinidad and Tobago Badminton Association president and five-time national champion Reeza Burke, several of his former teammates such as Mansingh Amarsingh, Lionel Darceuil, Anthony “Sandfly” Brown, Selwyn Singh, Roland Charles, national senior team manager Collin Cudjoe, family members and friends. Delph’s eulogy was delivered by Seamus Clarke, another ex-TT player, who played alongside the deceased at the Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man long ago. Clarke spoke of the duo’s sporting relationship and went on to paint a bright picture of Delph’s illustrious competitive career. The veteran national was particularly remembered for his golden finish in the Caribbean Junior Championships in 1972. He was also paid full respect to Delph for coaching the national team to seven gold medals at a similar meet in later years. Speaking to Cudjoe after the funeral service yesterday, he revealed that Delph would be especially remembered for his significant contributions to the sport and his career high in the 1980’s. “Gordon did so much for national table tennis. By setting a strong foundation as a player, he went on to become an inspirational and powerful coach to the youngsters. He will surely be missed by the entire fraternity but has left us a legacy to remember him by. He was a good man, great table tennis player and did a lot for the sport locally,” explained Cudjoe. Also paying tribute to Delph was Minister Roberts, who offered condolences from the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Roberts stated, “Gordon’s contribution to the sport of table tennis has been tremendous over the years. He inspired many with his style of play, represented Trinidad and Tobago across the Caribbean and the world, and turned into a thoughtful and respected coach when his playing days were over. His impact and influence on the local game is profound and he will be deeply missed.”