By Tiadi Blair
The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) concluded its annual tennis camp yesterday afternoon at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel courts with some 80 children of all levels participating in the two-week programme.
According to GLTA Coach, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, the camp, which began in 2005 is aimed at 6-to-8-year-olds and is sponsored by proprietor of P & P Insurance Brokers, Bish Panday annually.
Panday yesterday assured that his support to the sport would be continuous and said that he hoped to see more children at next year’s camp which he has given a verbal commitment to sponsor.
This is the sixth year that P & P Insurance Brokers has sponsored the programme and the attendance this year was the same as previous years.
According to Ramdyhan, there was a noticeable increase in enthusiasm. She made reference to a particular rainy day during the camp which had failed to dampen the children’s spirits.
The presentation of certificates was short and snappy, considering the sweltering heat of the day.
Nine-year-old Damani Ferguson, who has attended the camp for the past two years, was voted the most improved player.
“I feel happy about what I did this year and I hope to come out for next year’s camp,” the youngster told Stabroek Sport.
When asked about his skill level Ferguson said his coach advised him to work on his overhand and backhand shots as these were his strong points.
Coach Ramdyhan added that these were indeed the best aspects of the game adding that if he improved on those aspects he could be one of the better players around as he had natural talent.
Ferguson displayed his enthusiasm for the sport and said he usually plays tennis throughout the year with friends and relatives in his neighbourhood.
Kenan Persaud, Jessica Azeez, Raynard Ramsaroop, Jeremy Miller, Fabian Long and Dominic Fraser were among the players who received special recognition for their performance throughout the programme.
The GLTA will be sending a team to represent Guyana at this year’s Coca Cola Tournament and Gavin Lewis, Nicola Ramdyhan, Aruna Ramrattan, Jeremy Miller and Daniel Lopes are the players spotted for the tournament scheduled for August in St. Lucia. Other persons who may be St. Lucia bound are Anthony Downs, Tracy Azeez, Benedict and Krystal Sukhra and Kahlif Gobin.
