IN HONOUR of the late Bakewell CEO, Naeem Nasir, the GTA last Friday launched the 2nd Annual Bakewell Junior Championship Lawn Tennis Tournament for enthusiastic young tennis players.General Manager of Bakewell Mr Jacob Nanan was delighted to serve the first ball of the tournament. In his remarks he recounted the enormous generosity of former CEO Naeem Nasir, who was a dedicated fan and supporter of sports, specifically tennis.
“Bakewell,” he said “will carry on his legacy and continue to support the development of sport.”
He reminded the juniors of the discipline that the sport fosters and not to lose the thought that education has to come first.
President of the GTA, Grace McCalman, applauded Bakewell for upholding their commitment to come on board as a long-term sponsor stating that this is what the sport needs.
She mentioned that the tournament will help to determine which players are selected for the upcoming Inter-Guiana Games tennis team, to be held in Paramaribo, Suriname, during late October.
GTA Chairman of Junior Development, William Spangler, alluded to the current plans of the GTA to strengthen all aspects of the junior programme for higher quality outcomes.
He stated that the GTA is in discussions with the sports authorities and that the organisation feels confident that its initiatives are being recognised favourably.
Matches started yesterday and will feature categories U-12, U-14 and U-18 for boys and girls.
The competition will run over three weekends with matches played at the National Racquet Centre from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs and the National Park from 12:00hrs to 16:00hrs.
Matches will also be played at President’s College tennis courts which were built by Mr Nasir during April 2010. Nearby communities will be invited to participate.