Blackwood,Sinclair headline Milo Open field

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Shantal Blackwood and Sicquena Sinclair are among some of the island's top junior tennis players who will be parading their skill on today's opening day of this year's first annual Milo Open Junior Tennis Championships - a two-day event - at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. Blackwood and Sinclair are down to compete in the Under-18 singles event, while top seeds Horatio Ludford and Shevaughn Crawford will compete in the boys' equivalent.

Llockett McGregor, the tournament director, made the announcement at Thursday's press launch, which was held at the Liguanea Club.

Suzanne Wilson-Wong, consumer marketing manager of Nestle, handed over her company's sponsorship cheque of $185,000 to the organisers of the tournament.

Upcoming stars

"We have a lot of upcoming tennis stars and so we expect to see a lot of exciting matches between them, and so it should be a very thrilling two days of tennis," said Wilson-Wong.

"It is a good synergy because Milo is the food drink of future champions, and as we extend our reach to where we find our future champions, this is a good fit and it will allow us to meet our target audience," she added.

McGregor said he was very thankful for Milo's sponsorship because it brings together Jamaica's best junior players in the country.

"It is going to be competitive and very exciting in every category because we have all the top juniors that are currently living in the island and will be taking part in this event," said McGregor.

"Sponsorships like this are very vital to the growth and development of tennis in Jamaica, and without sponsors like Milo and all the others before them, the sport would not be able to survive," he noted.

McGregor added that the level of the participation throughout the tournament is expected to give merit to the growing support in Jamaica at the junior level, and will also address the overall aim of boosting junior tennis islandwide.

"In order to develop a player they must play a lot competition, and so this will be an excellent opportunity for the youngsters, and I am urging everyone to come and support this tournament," McGregor stated.

They will participate in the boys 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 divisions, while the girls will compete in the 12, 14 and 18 age categories.

In addition to prizes and trophies that will be up for grabs, the winners in each section will also receive points towards their national ranking.