Home|Sports|ITF official meets with sports ministry and BLTASports
The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 21, 2023 17 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email
Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) President Perry Newton and International Tennis Federation (ITF) representative Gustavo Grannito paid a courtesy call on Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Kelsie Johnson-Sills and Sports Officer Adam Miller.
Newton said the meeting focused on the work of the BLTA and the collaboration of the ITF to help build tennis in The Bahamas. Newton said the meeting also highlighted the role of the ministry in helping in the development of the sport and working alongside the national association. He said the meeting was very productive.
Grannito also toured the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre and had an opportunity to meet with some of the facility’s coaches and directors. The center, which is privately funded and operated, is yet to be recognized by the ITF under the updated ITF recognition program which assesses facilities and its programs.
President Newton said, “This is a very important step for tennis in The Bahamas. The ITF recognition means that the national tennis center has met the administrative and operational requirements set forth by the recognition criteria. The national tennis center directors have been diligent in defining the administrative structure and program offerings of the facility and will continue to seek to evolve and improve and incorporate the guidance by the ITF.”
The ITF is vital in the support of the growth of tennis through its guidance and encouragement principles.
“We are truly appreciative of the support from the international governing body,” said Newton. “We thank Mr. Grannito for taking the time out to visit the national tennis center and to impart his knowledge and experience with us.”
Newton fully expects the national tennis center to receive ITF recognition.