International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Caribbean Developmental Officer Anthony Jermiah yesterday exhorted the teachers and students that attended the opening session of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s mini tennis programme to embrace the programme and to be punctual at all times.
Yesterday’s opening session took place at the National Park’s courts and Trinidadian Jeremiah told the gathering that the ITF was very keen to develop the game at the youth level.
Jeremiah added that he was pleased that the GLTA could inculcate the game in the schools and moreso, have the teachers themselves participate in an effort to continue the growth of the game.
President of the GLTA Christopher Ram was also high in praise of the teachers and students who turned out.
“I’m extremely happy that so much students and teachers can turn out because this is very important, not only to you but us because it shows that children are very interested in the game and tennis will not die,” the GLTA president declared.
Arnold Sookraj, a representative of the Ministry of Education, lauded the initiative by the local governing body and stated that the ministry was fully supportive of the event.
ITF certified coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan will take the teachers and students through their paces over the next three weeks.
The programme was also scheduled to get underway in New Amsterdam yesterday at the Republic Bank courts with Carol Humphrey conducting the programme which caters for six primary schools.
The participating schools will receive a quantity of mini-racquets and soft balls which are geared for children under 10 years of age to develop hand-eye coordination.
