THE courts at the National Tennis Centre in Beausejour are expected to be the hot spot as close to 150 tennis players will be in action at the 6th annual KIA Independence Open Championship scheduled for next week Saturday.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Saint Lucia Tennis Association President, Stephen Mc Namara, at the event’s grand launch.
McNamara said: “The championship is held at this time because it’s a contribution by KIA, the Bain family (Northwest Limited) and now Harry Edwards, Peter and Company in collaboration with the Tennis Association. This is our joint contribution to Saint Lucia’s Independence celebrations. From its inception in 2012, the Bain family, Northwest and KIA promised that they will make this an annual event and they have kept that promise. I want to thank them for having stuck with it over the years. The championship has shown itself to have been a successful one ever since.”
Northwest Limited/KIA representative, Larry Bain, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this. Northwest for years now have committed to being involved in this endeavour, not only for the sport itself, but for the far-reaching effect sports has on the youth of our country. Northwest has committed to being involved in community and youth development through sports and education. So with many of our principals, we find ways of being involved in our community and KIA and tennis are probably without a doubt one of our biggest endeavours and commitment.”
The SLTA, along with main sponsor Northwest Limited, has promised exciting off-your-seat matches with a higher standard of play from both juniors and seniors. The action runs from February 11 to 15 with the 12s and 19s and senior categories, as well as the 10s, 14s and open categories.
Deadline for registration is next Wednesday and the tournament draw and posting take place two days later.
Like previous years, the elite juniors rivalry on the court is expected to continue amongst Dara Sidoine, Maxx and Meggan William, Niesha Cherry, Jada Hunte, Adriel and Aiden Bousquet, Nathan Francis, just to name a few.