The youth of Barbados will have their chance to write their names on history’s page when the Zeemoney Independence Youth Development Tennis Tournament commences.
This was disclosed recently at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment’s headquarters by Minister of Sports Charles Griffith, who accepted a BDS $40,000 sponsorship cheque from Zeemoney Barbados.
Minister Griffith said: “Today is another installation in terms of our promoting road tennis in this country. From the time I came here [in office] I’ve been asking the private sector to be involved in the process of helping us to develop sports, helping us to develop and move our young people forward. And, I’m very, very pleased this morning that we have a company in the financial sector from Ghana, Zeemoney Barbados.”
Mr. Griffith thanked the title sponsors for the funds which will help to stage the Independence tournament that starts on Sunday, November 20, and runs until Wednesday, November 30, when the finals will be played at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey, St. Michael. The categories to be contested are Under 15 Boys, Boys 16-21 and the Open Girls.
Minister Griffith took the opportunity to urge young girls to play road tennis: “We are hoping that this particular initiative this year for Independence, will trigger a movement where we will see our young females get involved in our indigenous sports now,” he said.
He also indicated that partnerships needed to be formed to promote sports, especially road tennis. He stated: “We are doing what is necessary to promote and to ensure that we can grow the sport, not only on island but in the Caribbean and farther afield.”
Country Manager of ZeeMoney Barbados, Felicity Jaforkuk, expressed why Zeemoney was interested in being associated with the country’s indigenous sport.
She stated: “It is because of our genuine love for Barbados and our social responsibility we sought to identify an activity with the potential for exposing and developing the talents of Barbados’ priceless assets the youth demographic. We sought an activity that would further proffer ancestral and cultural links between Barbados and the continent of Africa. Our extensive research pointed us to the indigenous sport of road tennis.”
The Government of Barbados has reiterated its efforts to place the sport of road tennis in every country and the Olympics. Road tennis was conceptualised by Barbadian Lance Bynoe in the 1930s.