A four-member tennis squad will leave Guyana today to take part in the International Tennis Federation Under-12 Junior Development Tournament starting in Curacao from August 22-26. The squad consists of two males and two females.
The event is ITF’s signature annual tournament for identification of emerging talent in the Region.
The players were selected based on their domestic performance; the two girls selected based on all year round performance locally and overseas, while the two boys were selected based on all year round performance – selection of five boys playoffs round robin Vadeanand Resaul, Wayne Baker, Adesh Khayyam, Nigel Lowe, Anish Sharma.
National tennis team (from L-R) Sekai Akilah Jones, Vadeanand Resaul, Coach Leyland Leacock, Adesh Khayyam and Sarah Klautky
The Guyana Tennis Association received financial support from the ITF to ensure they prepare and field participants at the event. Guyana is always eager to participate, but is yet to host the tournament. However, the local Tennis Association hopes to be able to host the tournament in the near future
The players concluded training on Thursday at the National Racquet Centre. The two-week long training camp enabled two sessions per day from 07:00h to 08:30h in the morning follow by an afternoon session from 14:30h to 15:30h.
They are expected to participate in both the single and doubles tournament while on tour as they aim to medal at the event.
According to national coach Leyland Leacock, who is set to travel with the team, it’s a privilege to represent your country and he believes the players will perform to the best and learn from the event to help them in their growth for future tournament.
The senior national player said the players are responding well during training as he seeks to strengthen their mental approach as well as all other facets of their games including how to assess their opponents during games.
The national team reads Girls – Sarah Klautky, 12, and Sekai Akilah Jones, 11; and the Boys – Vadeanand Resaul, 11, and Adesh Khayyam, 11.
