The Tribune

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is all set to host its 15th Annual International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junkanoo Bowl Tournament  July 4-9. 

The tournament is sponsored by Massy United Insurance  and RMS Insurance Agents & Brokers. The event will feature top juniors from over 30 countries including Germany, United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Russia and Guatemala just to name a few. There will be under-14 and U-18 girls and boys categories. The tournament promises to be one to be remembered as it is celebrating 15 years in The Bahamas. The 32-draw tournament has a plethora of entrants and there will be over 100 international tennis players coming to our shores. 

 The two-time Junkanoo Bowl tournament director Barbara Carey said: “ It is a very special year for the tournament.  Players ranking 100 and 200 in the world will be participating and this will make the tournament very competitive.  There are approximately 11 female and nine male players from The Bahamas, including some of our top juniors.  There are many persons on the waiting list as the tournament entrant pool is very large.  Therefore some persons will not be accommodated.  Next year the draw may be increased to 64 which will be good for The Bahamas as a whole and tennis in particular.” 

 Mickey Williams, the ITF supervisor, will continue to be the head referee and has been very instrumental in organising the tournament. Considered one of the most knowledgeable local figures on the rules and regulations of international tournament play, he has been key to the past successes of the international tournaments hosted in The Bahamas.

The opening ceremony for the tournament is slated to be held 6:15pm July 3 at the National Tennis Centre and is open to the public. Player sign-in for the main draw will also be 4-6pm Sunday and approximately 50-75 players will be in attendance.

The BLTA thanks its sponsors Massy United Insurance  and RMS Insurance Agents & Brokers for their kind contribution.