A great ending to a historic week for Bahamas Tennis at the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre. Bahamians Tatyana Madu and Patrick Mactaggart both won the singles championship titles at the U14 Confederation of Tennis for Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc) Junkanoo Bowl. On the boys’ side, Patrick won over Dmitri Kitron from Bermuda in a very well-played match. Patrick came out strong from the round robins with a great performance, only dropping one game. On the girls’ side, Tatyana won over Makeda Bain from Trinidad and Tobago in another exciting match. Tatyana and Makeda would later partner up to capture the Girls Doubles title over Briana Houlgrave from the Bahamas and Keziah Fluonia from Curacao.
Tatyana who went into the competition ranked 30th in the Central American and Caribbean region emerged as double crown Champion! Tatyana was the #1 seed coming out of the round robins. She would go on to win all of her main draw singles matches in straight sets. In Boys Doubles, Patrick teamed up with Alec Hooper and the pair which recently won a doubles title at the Focol tournament in Grand Bahama ended up as the runners-up in the Cotecc U14 Junkanoo Bowl. Dimitri Kirton of Barbados and Brandon Bridgewater of Curacao were the champions.
Last week the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) was privileged and pleased to host and manage the first-ever camp for the English-speaking countries. Following the successful camp was the Cotecc International Tournament which was also held at the National Tennis Centre. The Cotecc event featured approximately 40 talented girls and boys from nine countries.
Vice President Chilean Burrows, President Perry Newton and a Custom Computers representative were all on hand to congratulate the winners. Mr. John Goede the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Development Officer for the Caribbean expressed thanks to The BLTA on behalf of the ITF and Cotecc for making this event possible. He noted the hard work by the Association. He expressed his appreciation for the tennis in Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and Nassau. Players from all of these islands represented in the U14 tournament. Mr Goede also recognized the consistent participation of female junior players in tennis in The Bahamas.
President Newton extended thanks to Custom Computers and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for their support of the tournament. He also extended his gratitude to the International Tennis Federation for providing the resources to make the high-level camp possible; providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for many juniors. President Newton expressed his gratitude in particular to the ITF Development Officer Mr John Goede for his successful direction and management of the camp. The kids came out of the tournament energized and empowered. Thanks to Coach Marion Bain who assisted in the camp. The successful completion of the tournament would not have been possible without the tournament director Mrs Chilean Burrows, the tournament referee Mr Mickey Williams assistant referee Esther Newton and the team of able officials. Special thanks are also extended to Past-President Darnette Weir, Carolyn Wardle and Vice-President Burrows for the regional camp preparations and giving of their time and energies, making the kids at the camp comfortable.
The BLTA thanks all of the persons who were responsible for the success of these back-to-back international events. There were a number of people who assisted in ensuring all was in order for both the camp and the tournament. We recognize your volunteer service and we appreciate each of you. To the camp participants and tournament players we applaud your dedication and pray for your continued development in the sport. To the winners, you have set your mark in history and the best is yet to come!
Original Post Date: 11/15/2023
