PRESIDENT of the Tennis Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) Hayden Mitchell is thrilled that the National Racquet Centre will be buzzing with activity over the next six weeks with tournaments. It is being called the summer of tennis.
The National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua has been quiet for more than two years because of the covid19 pandemic.
The National Racquet Centre was used as a step-down facility during the pandemic.
Close to ten tennis events will be held at the National Racquet Centre in the coming weeks with the marquee event being the Davis Cup from July 30-August 6.
Nine countries will compete in group four of the Davis Cup in TT including the home team, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras and US Virgin Islands.
The players who will represent TT at the Davis Cup are Nabeel Mohammed, Ebolum Nwokolo, Akiel Duke, Luca Shamsi and Joseph Cadogan.
Mitchell is eager to host events.
'Today is a very special day for us in tennis in TT,' Mitchell said during a media conference on Wednesday at the National Racquet Centre.
'Of course over the last couple years a facility that you are now in would have been used for an alternative use. We always continue to support the Government…the safety and security of citizens of TT comes first. But now we are in a different stage.'
Mitchell wants to turn TT into a favourite sporting destination.
'We really want to make TT the hub for sport and sporting development. In that light…we are working with ITF (International Tennis Federation) to make here a regional training certified facility.'
Mitchell added, 'To get TT back on the map after covid we have launched what we call our summer of tennis. This is where we will be having eight regional and international events right here.'
Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe said, 'I want to first and foremost congratulate and even salute the Tennis Association of TT. It looks simple, but it is hard work, it is a labour of love. They have been doing outstanding work over the years.'
Cudjoe spoke about the benefit of hosting regional events.
'There is so much more that we could feel excited about as it relates to generating economic activity. From the booking of hundreds of hotel rooms and inviting not only players, but also their family members and friends who will some day return to TT to participate in Carnival, to participate in eco-tourism.'
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