BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts-Nevis Tennis Association (SKNTA) is finalising its preparation for the staging of the inaugural Liamuiga Oualie J5 Tournament Slated for November 23-30.
The tournament, which forms part of the International Tennis Federation World Tour, will be staged at the Warner Park facility.
It has been two decades since international tennis has been played in the Federation. And according to Watkins Chiverton, President of the SKNTA, preparations are on stream to be completed by the second week in November and everything would be in place go for the one-week showdown.
“The Committees are moving full steam ahead to have all systems in place for the staging of this important event for St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Thus far, early registration points to 59 Boys and 30 Girls who will be competing in the 18 and Under Competition.
Registrants and their coach and family will be coming from Africa, China, Europe, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
President Chiverton underscored the importance of hosting a tournament of this nature, pointing out that it would assist in the development of the young tennis players from both St. Kitts and Nevis.
In fact, a total of 12 wild card entries have been guaranteed for local players in the Tournament.
According to Chiverton, the presence of the next generation speaks to the mantra that the Association has in assisting youths to attain their full potential, while at the same time giving them an opportunity to play internationally.
“For 2019, we had a youth-first approach. By staging this Tournament, we are giving our young people an opportunity to enhance their skills against some of the best players internationally, who they would not have had the opportunity to compete against.”
Currently, work is being carried out at the Warner Park Tennis Courts to ensure it is at an internationally recognised standard.
