IT’S THE most prestigious tournament on the calendar of events of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GTA) and yesterday at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Bel Air courts, the GTA served off its GBTI-sponsored Open tournament with several matches. Prior to GBTI’s Administrative Manager Sean Noel conducting the ceremonial serve off, president of the GTA, Ramesh Seebarran, expressed his Association’s delight at being associated with GBTI, saying they are looking to take the sport to the Cinderella County of Essequibo.
“This tournament is looked forward to by many tennis players, since it brings out the best talent to compete and this is what the coaches look forward to, as they use such as a yardstick to select national teams, especially in the junior category.
“I would like to personally on behalf of the GTA thank GBTI for their continued support as well as the new facility at Diamond, which the GTA is utilising fully to organise programmes for seasoned and even young tennis players within that area,” said Seebarran.
According to the recently elected GTA head, his Association is looking at invading Essequibo with the aim of decentralising the sport in the county even though there is one court that is privately owned, while the further development of the work that was started in Berbice will be completed.
In his brief remarks, Noel said it felt good whenever a staff from GBTI listens to congratulatory remarks being bestowed on the bank, during the playing-off of any tennis tournament. It means the bank was able to make an impact.
“When we look on the wall in our sports club and see the roster of players who have competed in a tournament sponsored by us, we feel a sense of joy to be associated with this tournament.
“Your remarks will continue to give us the impetus to show you more support for this tournament which will see GBTI offering its continued support in the future, as we wish to see the sport grow from strength to strength, especially in Diamond,” stated Noel.
Reflecting on the just concluded Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Noel said GBTI would love to see exciting tennis matches as were evident during the London-based tournament, since the sport is very close to the hearts of the sponsor, even though they sponsor other events such as cycling.
In giving his preview of the tournament, Andre Lopes said same will be contested among 11 categories of which the GTA has received 73 entrants and 141 entries, surpassing the 120 entries they had for last year. Chairman of yesterday afternoon’s opening ceremony, Sandeep Chand, said it is the first major tournament on the GTA’s calendar of events for the year.
Following the handing-over of the sponsorship cheque from Noel to Seebarran, the former did the ceremonial serve off, much to the delight of the players present, who went into action immediately after, with matches being played during the week from 17:00hrs and at an earlier time on weekends.