The annual Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) Junior Tennis Camp sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers got off to a slow start yesterday at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel courts.
According to secretary of the GLTA Grace Macalman approximately 32 of the 42 registered participants turned up.
Macalman said the amount was less than she expected.
“I expected a bit more,” she told Stabroek Sport pointing out that there were usually around 75-85 participants at the camp which has been sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers annually since 2005.
McAlman attributed the low turn out to the fact that yesterday was a holiday.
Managing Director of P&P Insurance Brokers Bish Panday was also absent and as such there was no opening ceremony.
Macalman said Panday had asked to be excused as he was out of town.
The P & P Insurance Brokers-sponsored camp is the feature junior social event of the year for the GLTA as it allows children at all levels of the game to come together and enjoy fun practice drills and competitions.
Panday has committed his company to sponsoring the event which allows children to become involved in sport on a recreational basis which helps to foster better health and encourage discipline.
According to a release from the GLTA:”The successful execution of the programme has managed to bring enthusiasm for competition once again to the junior arena as the event attracts up to 85 children each year and many of these children continue to play the sport in the National Park Programme. Coaches also take the opportunity to spot potential talent for further development.”
National `A’ squad players 11-year-old Daniel Lopes & 12-year-old Seanden Longe, who will represent Guyana this year at the ITF Under -13 Caribbean Development Championships in Antigua and Barbuda are both products of Tennis Camp 2005.
The coach of the programme is Shelly Daly.