Open letter to Sports Minister Anil Roberts:
I would like you to reconsider your plan to build four new indoor courts at a site in Tacarigua.
I say no to the indoor courts but yes to outdoor courts throughout the country. In T&T, tennis is played outdoors and playing and training indoors are not the same as outdoors with several factors being: sun, wind, atmosphere, injury factor (indoors) and cost/maintenance. To make tennis a successful sport once again we will need upgraded facilities and more courts to encourage more people and coaches to work together.
Presently, tennis is at an all-time low and the Government must inject some much needed funds to make it work. My suggestions are:
North zone: four new hard courts for training and tournaments; refurbishing of Tranquillity clay courts (private club).
South zone: four new hard courts at Mannie Ramjohn; refurbishing of Promenade clay courts (private club); two hard courts in Point Fortin.
Local annual tournaments are played at Tranquillity (clay courts), Port-of-Spain Classified (hard court), National Open (hard court) and SITA Classified (hard court). International Grand Slam and ATP tennis tournaments are played outdoors on hard, clay and grass courts. Also, tennis camps are played outdoors on hard courts, clay and grass. I have attended the Harry Hopman tennis camp in Tampa, Florida and all work is done outdoors and, as you know Mr Minister, hard work is no secret.
Harry Mahase
Player/coach
San Fernando