Corporate Tennis returns June 23

THE UPCOMING Corporate Tennis competition exclusively for company executives and employees is a major step in achieving the Tennis Association’s motto of “Tennis for All.”

So said president of the Tennis Association, Dave James yesterday at the launch of the tournament at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain. James said all the other areas of the public were suitably addressed by the myriad competitions and it was time that the people whom the appeal for funds go out every year should now become physically involved in the game. “We have been addressing all other areas of the community from the PSPI programme for school children to the veterans. We now focus on corporate Trinidad and Tobago,” said James.

In attendance at yesterday’s function were Suzanne Gryspeerdt, Hilton Trinidad’s Director of Operation; Valerie Pedro-Harris, chairperson of the Corporate Tennis Committee; Mike Valdez, the legendary former national and regional champion, now resident coach at the Hilton Trinidad; Franklyn Balgobin, vice-president of the South Zone; Melvin Black, Tournament Director and Christine Alexis, secretary of the Tennis Association. Pedro-Harris, a former top national player just back from winning a mixed doubles tournament in Brooklyn, New York, USA with her son said the objective was to build a greater awareness and promote a healthier lifestyle among coporate employees. She also welcomed the opportunity to solicit much-needed funds for the ongoing tennis programme. It was a point elaborated on by Valdez who said money was the bedrock of any successful tennis programme as he envisions a brighter future for Trinidad and Tobago players on the international crcuit. Valdez also observed that in his 30-year attachment to the Hilton Trinidad, it is the first occasion the top hotel will be loaning its court for a national tournament, an initiative of its general manager Ali Khan. “Mr Khan wants to leave a legacy of some major contribution to the young people of Trinidad and Tobago and he is wholeheartedly behind the tournament,” said Valdez.

North and East Zones will compete at the Hilton Trinidad Courts from June 23 to July 4 between 7 pm and 9 pm with matches on a round-robin basis going into a knock-out format into the semi-finals and finals. The South Zone will be contested at the Petrotrin Sports Club, Pointe-a-Pierre on the weekend of Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29. The final between the winners of the two zones will be staged the following weekend. Black said because the participants will be of varying competence and ability, a handicapping system will be applied to level the playing field. Among the prizes at stake are valuable hampers, airline tickets, tennis gear, and dinners at top hotels said Pedro-Harris. Defending men and women’s champions are St Augustine Tennis Club, winners in 2001 when the tournament was last held. Entry fee for each team is $1,000 with each additional team costing $500.