Tennis coach calls for more facilities
Stabroek News
May 1, 2002
United States-based tennis coach Esan Benn feels Guyana's tennis is not benefitting fully from the potential of local players because of lack of facilities and coaches.
Benn who staged an open clinic for players on Sunday at Le Meridien Pegasus hotel courts, said the country on the whole needs more trained coaches to properly develop the talented players to higher levels.
He added facilities are the other important requirement needed to take the sport forward. "You can have the world of potential but without quality courts for players to hone their talent, players will not go very far," Benn stated.
He said for too long tennis is being neglected which is unfortunate considering the high levels of play and administrative standards which existed not too long ago.
Benn who is on an extended stay in Guyana, said the clinic he conducted was a success and intends to hold similar exercises twice weekly at the National Park for free.
The former national junior champion said he would be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4.30 p.m to 6 p.m. for the sessions at the Park.
Benn said he will return to the country in July/August to partake in a bigger clinic to involve other U.S. based coaches including Bill Adams, Edmund Plass and Kayume Naj.
He disclosed that Adams, who owns an academy in Pennslynannia, has indicated an interest in developing existing facilities here in an attempt to give something back to the sport.
Sunday's clinic was attended mainly by young players who were presented with gear afterwards and were advised that a little religion in their lives will go a long towards success, by Benn, a born again Christian.