SVGTA in search of Sponsorship

Soon after hosting another successful International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Tennis Tournament, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association (SVGTA) has to immediately hit the ground running, looking for new sponsor for next year’s event.{{more}}

President of the SVGTA Anthony Mc Kenzie confirmed to SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday afternoon at the closing of the 2009 edition at the National Tennis Centre at Villa that title sponsor for the last three competitions Digicel will no longer be doing so, at least in the immediate future.

“We are thankful for Digicel, but this is the final year of the three-year deal,” Mc Kenzie said.

“We will be aggressively pursuing other entities soon,” he added.

The marquee event on the local Tennis calendar this year attracted 121 participants, including just over forty local entrants.

Among the countries represented were Aruba, Argentina, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Canada, Ecuador, England, Germany, Japan, Mexico, St.Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The travelling contingents also saw coaches, trainers and parents accompanying the young Tennis players, which Mc Kenzie believed was “a boost for Sports Tourism”.

Mc Kenzie said that apart from the hoteliers, other local operators engaged in the sale of food and beverages were able to cash in on the occasion.

The Tennis President opined that this country has positioned itself well to host other similar events on its calendar.

Top marks were given for the staging of the Tournament, from match officials were here to oversee the Juniors’ competition.

Mc Kenzie stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was also able to take the crest of the Coca Cola Championships held in St. Lucia the previous week.

Mc Kenzie said that to build on the momentum gained from the hosting of the tournament, his Executive will be looking to put on another junior competition, as a prelude to the annual Christmas exercise.