Roberts in for Clarke

ROBERT ROBERTS has been included in the table tennis team set to leave Barbados later this week to compete at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Puerto Rico.The former Caribbean singles champion, now in his late thirties, replaces Abbie “Playboy” Clarke from the side that won bronze at the 52nd Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Puerto Rico just over a week ago.The CAC Games will be played at the same venue, San German, at which the Caribbean Championships were held but a rubberised floor will be laid for the event instead of the natural wooden surface used for the recent tournament.Roberts, now based in the United States, has not represented Barbados in several years but has been involved in the sport in the United States as a player and coach.“Robert is still an active player in America,” chairman of selectors Dale Rudder told NATIONSPORT.“He is one of the highest rated players over there. He expressed an interest in playing. It’s hard to pass up a player of that calibre as long as everyone is on board,” he said.“The BOA (Barbados Olympic Association) also welcomed it. It was a chance to add some strength to the team,” Rudder asserted.The men’s team will be captained by Trevor Farley and includes Anderson Carrington and Mark Dowell.Sherice Felix will lead a women’s team that includes former Caribbean junior champion Julia Morris, Angela Reid and Sabrina Worrell.Carl Sealy is the coach while the manager is Marguerita Felix.The team events at the games will be played according to the established format for the Olympic Games. This includes four singles and one double in a best of five encounter.