THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited acknowledged its British roots on Friday as the organisation, which was formerly known as Barclays Bank during British Guiana’s colonial times, ended the 17-year absence of its Open Lawn Tennis Tournament.
GBTI launched its first Open Tennis Tournament in 13 years on Friday at the bank’s recreational facility which is located in Bel Air Park.
Chief Executive Officer of GBTI, John Tracey, in addressing what was acknowledged as a favourable gathering for the sport noted that Friday’s activities made him nostalgic of the bank’s history in tennis.
“Our relationship with tennis started with Barclays Bank which had an affinity to tennis as part of the strong British heritage,” he said as he reflected.
Tracey said that GBTI’s facility boasts the best courts and while not much tennis has been played in recent years they are glad to once again partner with the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA).
He further said that GBTI is a long-standing benefactor of local tennis and even made mention of the fact that the organisation made their facilities available for the national junior team’s preparations for the World Junior Championships.
The former president of the GLTA said that the legacy of their British predecessors cannot be ignored and as such it is GBTI’s wish to step up to the plate and this is manifested in the projections for the establishment of two new courts in Lethem and in Diamond.
Tracey made everyone privy to his opinion that tennis has a long way to go but he also finds the sport worthy of his support and time.
He charged the players to lift the standard of the game that they love and to make it worthy of sponsorship as it is only natural for sponsors to expect positive feedback from their investment in the GLTA.