200 entries for Swept Away tennis tourney
NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Over 200 entries are expected for next weekend’s 20th annual Couples Swept Away Easter weekend Couples Clay Court tennis tournament to be held n Negril.
The event tat will start on Friday April and run through to Easter Monday and will see play in several categories including Men’s and Women’s Open, Doubles Open as well as Pro Over 35, all of which will attract prizes monies.
Norman Samuels, sports manager for the hotel, told Observer, preparations were in an advanced stage for the event and they had received entries from as far as Russia.
Men’s champion Joe Cadogan will defend his title, but Women’s Open winners Malika Rose, who is in her first year in college, will miss the competition, Samuels disclosed.
Last year, the then 20-year-old Cadogan had started his professional career by beating veteran Vince McKey in the Men’s final, while Rose who is in her first year as a college student, beat her younger sister Nia in the Women’s final.
Among the others expected to take part in the island’s premier clay court event are McKey and Damion Johnson, also a former winner.
On the women’s side, Russian Karina Ahkmedona as well as former winners Megan Jones and Diana Goldsmith will ensure a competitive female section.
Among the sponsors of the event are Caribbean Producers Ja, Rainforest SeaFoods, WISYNCO Group Ltd, Caribbean Resources, Hi-Lyte Sports Mixx, Couples Negril, and Guardsman Ltd.
— Paul Reid