Hi-Pro serves big for All-Jamaica Championships
Damion Johnson (right) gives some tips on tennis to (from left) Jerome Smalling, CEO, Merchant Bank, JMMB; Dayne Patterson, Hi-Pro business development manager; and Aswad Morgan, first vice-president, Tennis Jamaica, at the launch of the 2016 Hi-Pro AllJamaica Tennis championship at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston yesterday. WITH AN increase of prize money to the tune of J$500,000, title sponsor Hi-Pro is looking to stage an exciting and competitive fifth Hi-Pro All Jamaica Tennis Championships, which will run from next week Wednesday, August 17, and continue through to Sunday, the 21st, at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.
Prize money will be $120,000 for the men’s Open champion, the women’s Open winner will receive $50, with the runner-up in the men’s category earning $60,000, and $25,000 to the runnerup in the women’s category.
The event, which is considered one of the premier championships on the local tennis calendar, was launched at the same venue – 2A Piccadilly Road in Kingston – yesterday.
The categories down to be contested include men’s singles and men’s doubles, women’s singles, class two men’s singles, class two men’s doubles, and men’s singles 45 and over age group.
The field will be highlighted by defending men’s senior champion, number-one seed Damion Johnson, and number-two seed Dwayne Pagon.
In the female category, Michaela Stephens and Phaydria Kepple are the top seeds, while there will be a number of top emerging juniors.
Aswad Morgan, first vice-president, Tennis Jamaica, commended Hi-Pro for its continued sponsorship.
HIGH QUALITY
Dayne Patterson, Hi-Pro’s business development manager, said: “Hi-Pro is pleased to be title sponsors and we look forward to another highenergy, exciting tournament as everyone has mentioned that the quality of play at the All Jamaica Hi-Pro tournament is excellent.”
David Sanguinetti tournament director, Tennis Jamaica, lauded Hi-pro for its support, while the sporting body’s president, John Bailey, shared that Tennis Jamaica’s dream remained to participate in the Olympics.
Bailey said that dream was not farfetched, courtesy of “young world-class Jamaican players who play here in Jamaica and overseas”.
Marketing officer Jerome Smalling of JMMB, a platinum sponsor, said, “The JMMB Group and JMMB are pleased to be sponsoring for the third year.”
Meanwhile, the deadline for entries is August 15.