Anthony Downes has been named one of the best players to emerge from the GBTI Tennis Final Open. Downes was able to come out on top for the Seventh consecutive GBTI Men’s Open title with a dominating win over Daniel Lopes in straight sets.
Other outstanding performers in the tournament were 16 year old Ladies Champion Afruica Gentle who once again carted off the three open titles Ladies Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles, Leyland Leacock who won the Men’s 35 Singles and Men’s Open Doubles title, Godfrey Lowden with the Men’s 45 Singles and Doubles title and 35 Doubles runner-up and Andre Lopes who won the Men’s 35 doubles and was runner-up in the Men’s 35 Singles. Daniel Lopes also medalled twice taking the runner-up position in the Men’s singles and winning the Men’s Doubles title.
The winners’ circle.
In the Junior categories, Jordan Beaton was the winner of the Boy’s Singles title, whilst Kalyca Fraser captured the Girl’s Singles. There was also a win for newcomer Delon Fraser who edged Surendra Khayyam to win the developmental Novice Medley category.
The presentation ceremony which immediately followed the final match was attended by Acting CEO of GBTI Ms. Shaleeza Shaw and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda. Ms Shaw stressed the importance of their partnership with the Guyana Tennis Association which was renewed eight years ago and commended the Association for the progress shown with developing the sport locally which sees opportunities being given to youths to spend their time productively and develop their skills. She touched on the pride experienced seeing Guyana’s participation in the recent games in Azerbaijan where the Guyana flag was flown proudly by the team and challenged tennis players to reach similar heights of representing Guyana internationally. Ms. Shaw expressed GBTI’s commitment to tennis and indicated that the Bank will provide its facilities for the hosting of the Inter-Guianas Games later this year in Guyana.
In his remarks, President of the GLTA, Mr. Jamal Goodluck commended the tennis fraternity for coming together in making the tournament a success which saw 122 matches being played over two weeks but bemoaned the fact that there were still instances of unsportsmanlike behavior cropping up which needs to be corrected. Mr. Goodluck also thanked the Bank for its unstinting support to tennis which has been operating without a home and enough courts to really kick start the growth of tennis locally.