The Tribune

TENNIS

ROBERTS LOST

THE run at the Dominican Futures $15,000 tournament in the Dominican Republic came to an end for Justin Roberts yesterday. Roberts lost a hard fought 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-1 decision to Erstonian Juame Pla Malfeito in the quarter-final.

In advancing to the quarters, Roberts toppled 415 ATP ranked Juan Ignacio Galarza of Argentina to avenge his lost to him last week by a score of 7-6 (1), 2-4 (retired). Roberts went 10-3 in the last 13 matches he played.

On Wednesday, Roberts and his partner Jody Maginley also lost in the doubles quarter-finals.

JUNIOR

DEVELOPMENTAL

CLINIC

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association and Johan Kriek are all set to host a junior development training clinic at the National Tennis Centre on Saturday. The clinic will be conducted by Johan Kriek, a two-time Grand Slam winner of the Australian Open and Jim Lavender, a professional coach for 27 years holding certifications in Europe and the US. The clinic is scheduled for 10 to 4pm and is open to all junior players.

JUNIOR ORANGE

BOWL

FOUR of our junior tennis players are competing in the 2015 Jr Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Sydney Clarke and Emma Weech are both entered in the girls’ 12s main draw singles, while Donte Armbrister and Jacobi Bain are in the boys’ 12s main draw. Each age group played.

GIORGIO BALDACCI

OPEN

THE Giorgio Baldacci National Open Challenge is underway in the National Tennis Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. The qualifying round started yesterday followed by the main draw which ends on Saturday, December 19.

This year, for the first time, the tournament is being done in a round-robin format to get a better assessment of the players’ ability. Some of the top players will represent the country at the Davis and Fed Cups. The Fed Cup event is being held February 1, 2016 at the Centro de Tenis Honda, Bayamón in Puerto Rico.

Many of the nation’s top tennis players have readied themselves to participate in this year-end tournament. Last year’s winners were Rodney Carey Jr for the men’s division and Kerrie Cartwright for the women. Rodney Jr, of Freeport, is again participating this year, defending his championship title. Players aged 14 and above are eligible to participate in this event. 

The tennis community and general public are invited to come out and watch some quality matches. The tournament director is Kevin Major assisted by Ceron Rolle.

BLTA president Elwood Donaldson looks forward to the success of another national tournament as the association closes its tournament calendar this year.

BOXING

FREEPORT VS

NASSAU

THE Champion Boxing Club is scheduled to hold the Final Round - 2015 - Fight to the Finish, the 21st edition of the annual Ray Minus Sr End of the Year Amateur Boxing Tournament December 19 at the Nassau Stadium, Fowler Street. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

The main event will be the welterweight championship match between Trae Davis of Freeport and Lennox Boyce of Nassau. Another featured match is Daedae Eugene of Nassau against Glovels Escament of Abaco.

The show will showcase boxers from Champion Amateur Boxing Club, Freeport Boxing Team, Abaco Boxing Team, Major Pain Boxing Club, Strikers Boxing Club and the Lion Heart Boxing Club.

Awards will be presented to the most improved boxer, most outstanding boxer, best fight of the tournament, boxer of the year and the Ray Minus Sr Trophy winner.

All amateur boxers and boxing clubs are welcome to participate.

Minus congratulated the Major Pain Amateur Boxing Club for successfully hosting and winning the inaugural Ray Minus Jr Amateur Boxing Show held November 28 at the Nassau Stadium.

FAST TRACK

5K/10K RUN

FAST Track Management is all set to host its first 5K/10K Scholarship Run and its Fast Track Winter Classic 10am December 19 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

There is a fee of $12 for children and $3 for adults to participate. All proceeds from the run will benefit one deserving student. Registration forms are available at all fitness facilities, Pollo Tropical and The Copier Limited 2 in Grand Bahama.

CORRECTION

WRONG PHOTO

IT was indicated that one of the photos on page 5E of Tribune Sports on December 17 was Rev Hartman Nixon of Macedonia Baptist Church. That was incorrect and The Tribune apologises for the error.