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UMDA Junior Tennis Championship this weekend
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Posted on Apr 24 2006
Junior netters will get another opportunity to be on center stage as the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Federation will host the 2006 UMDA Junior Tennis Championship this weekend at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.
This according to NMITA vice president Jeff Race, who disclosed during an interview yesterday that the tournament will kick off on Saturday, and is hopeful that Mother Nature will cooperate and enable the netters to conclude play by Sunday.
The tournament will feature three age categories for both boys and girls, with competition in the 18-and-under, 13-and-under, and nine-and-under in both singles and doubles.
Race said this is the first tournament that incorporates the new age categories set as standard by the International Tennis Federation and the Oceania Tennis Federation.
Race informed the local tennis scene of the move during last February’s Coconut Tennis Classic, citing that the ITF has decided to scrap the 14-and-under category and instead, replace it with a 13-and-under division. The 18-and-under division remains the same.
With the adjustments, Race said that instead of continuing with competitions in the 10-and-under division, NMITA will move all 10-year-olds to the 13-and-under competition and will create a nine-and-under category.
“That’s so that we can have a lot of players in the 13-and-under since the 14-year-olds will move to the 18-and-under, “Race told those in attendance during the February tourney.
Competition is expected to be tough, as junior netters who are vying for slots in the CNMI National Tennis Team for the 6th Micronesian Games will also take part.
Race also stressed that the tournament also serves as an opportunity for a junior player to take the responsibility as the tournament director. Taking the role this year is Ralph Buenaventura, who ranks among the top junior netters in the CNMI.
“This gives them a chance to appreciate and also get some experience,” Race said.
Deadline for registering for the UMDA tournament was originally set for yesterday, however, Race said he will extend the deadline until today.
All interested must register by contacting Race at 483-5652. Players must pay a fee of $7.50 for each event.
