Mini-tennis programme launched for primary schools
Stabroek News
November 2, 2006
Teachers who participated in the launching of the mini-tennis for primary schools at the National Park last Sunday.
Thirteen primary school teachers participated in the Guyana Lawn Tennis Asso-ciation (GLTA) launching of the mini-tennis programme for primary schools and competed for the mini-tennis teacher trophy last weekend at the National Park.
According to a release, the International Tennis Feder-ation's Regional Officer for the English-speaking Carib-bean, Anthony Jeremiah was present at the launching and provided Guyana with minimal equipment for schools to jumpstart the programme.
Ronald Murray of St Gabriel's Primary emerged the winner with Muniram Persaud of Mae's Under-12 settling for runner-up position. Grace Felix of West Ruimveldt deservedly earned the trophy for Best Female Player.Â
A special trophy for Most Committed Teacher went to Tashima Braithwaithe, teacher of St. Angela's Primary, for regular attendance.
Jeremiah commended the GLTA for making a special effort despite limited resources, to re-establish a core of junior players and stressed that the ITF remains committed to making the game of tennis available to every child in Guyana. He said that Guyana has much potential for this to be realized.
Debbie Bunbury, Vice President of the GLTA and senior coach stated that the only real threat to the development of tennis in Guyana is the lack of facilities since it is a widely loved sport.
However, the Secretary of the association Grace McCalman told Stabroek Sport that they have been in talks with Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony who has promised to support the organization.
The schools that received equipment at the launch were Enterprise Primary, Ketley Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Sacred Heart Pri-mary, Smith Memorial Pri-mary, St. Ambrose Primary, St. Andrews Primary, St Angela's Primary, St Gabriel's Primary, St Pius Primary, St Stephens Primary, Thomas Moore Primary, Tuc-ville Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, Mae's Under-12 and Eccles Nursery/Primary.
This was the last major event on the calendar of activities for the association and McCalman said the next thing on the agenda is the election of executives which are four months overdue.