‘Hectic but exciting’ – Lenasia Tennis Association readies for May Grand Prix

The Lenasia Tennis Association (LTA) is finalising preparations for its annual Men’s Doubles Championship to be hosted on 19, 20 and 21 May at the Lenasia Tech Grounds in Ext 4.

By Lebohang Ndashe – Intern

A whopping 64 teams comprising senior players from all over the country are expected to battle it out for the grand prize.

Did you know: The term ‘Grand Prix’ is not just F1 Car racing lingo but a general term used for competitions or sports events alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour.

Planning for this has been described as ‘hectic but exciting’ by Nadia Patel, a LTA founding member, current secretary and administrative manager. She said they currently do not have any sponsors, but the winners will receive trophies.

The LTA is a community-based, non profit organisation using its funding to uplift and develop the sport in the community through coaching, leagues, competitions and social games.

Launched in 2018, the association boasts 250 members to include men, women, juniors and seniors who practise daily from 5am-10pm at the Tech Grounds. The launch came after tennis enthusiasts came together in 2015 to repair this tennis facility which was in a state of disrepair frommaintenance from the council.

Patel told GLOBE POST: “At the beginning of 2019, with the approval of the local Sports Department we began our membership and started with the repair and reconstructing the facility.”

LTA is affiliated to Tennis South Africa (TSA) and the Gauteng Central Tennis Association. It also boasts 3 private academies of its own.

“Our biggest challenge is funding and theft, we also don’t have enough courts to meet player demand. We are constantly finding ways to provide more,” added Patel.

Membership fees are reviewed annually with various joining fees for each category.

For more information, contact the Lenasia Tennis Association on 074 601 7190 or email: lenasiatennis@gmail.com