On Tuesday the Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) officially launched its 12th annual P and P Insurance Junior Tennis Camp at the National Racquet Centre. The camp started on Monday and will run for three weeks ending on July 29.
The initiative of the camp is to provide the ultimate opportunity for young children to learn the game of tennis in a fun but progressive way, combining physical, technical and mental training ultimately culminating with a competition.
P&P representative Vikash Panday with participants of the camp.
The type of tennis played at the camp is mini-tennis which caters to the development of very young children and is the only type of tennis that paves the way towards full court tennis. So much so that in its 12th year, the camp can boast continuous success with a steady flow of juniors subsequently joining tennis clubs to continue training.
Some of these players aspire to one day represent Guyana, earn a college scholarship or simply play the game at an advanced level. Led by the top tennis coaches in Guyana, the P &P Insurance Brokers annual Junior Tennis Camp has proven to be the most consistent and successful tennis camp conducted by the GLTA with the number of participants generally ranging in the 80s.
Proprietor of P &P Insurance Brokers, Bishwa Panday who for decades, committed his business towards significant contributions to sports development in general in Guyana, made a commitment to the annual tennis camp in 2005, a year after the tennis association was reestablished and has not wavered his promise.
Speaking at the launch, representative of P&P Vikash Panday, said the entity recognizes tennis as a sport with great benefits such as college scholarships for young athlete. He too participated in the camp for many years.
He also urged the young prospective players to enjoy themselves while learning to play the great sport.
Former President and committee member of GLTA, Grace McCalman, expressed concern for the lack of Physical Education (PE) in several primary schools. “One child became nauseous because her schoolhas no PE, so she was unaccustomed to intense exercises”, said McCalman.
She reiterated that physical exercise is necessary for young children and hoped that all primary schools will adapt an urgency to implement PE activities. McCalman also noted the most recent tennis scholar Gavin Lewis, who participated in several P&P camps which motivated him to adopt a serious approach.
Finally, she urged the young players to have fun, play safe and drink plenty water.
This year’s camp being held at the National Racquet Centre hopes to attract more teenagers to the sport since the association is eager to establish a program for the 12-18 age groups especially for schools along the Woolford Avenue who are in the closest proximity to the tennis courts.
The camp will be conducted on weekdays for three weeks from July 11th to 29th with 6-11yr olds from 9:00am to 11:00am and 12-18year olds from 12:00noon to 2:00pm.
All are invited to register by calling 672-8299.
