PRIZE money of over $500,000 will be awarded to winners and runners-ups at the 2016 Hi-Pro All-Jamaica Tennis Championships, which is scheduled for August 17-21 at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre.

Dayne Patterson, business development manager of Hi-Pro, a division of the Jamaica Broilers Group, said his company is pleased to continue their sponsorship of the tournament.

“This is a championship for Jamaicans to showcase their skills on a larger scale, and it also allows them to compete for a championship title,” he said.

“We look forward to another exciting championship when our young, talented Jamaicans can show their natural skills on the court. We continued to be impressed by the level of performance year after year, and know that this year will prove to be even more rewarding,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tournament Director David Sanguinetti, in his overview of the championships, disclosed that there will be six events — men’s and women’s singles, men’s 45-and-over singles, men’s open doubles, men’s amateur singles, and amateur singles for men’s class two.

With an increase in prize money the winner of the men’s singles will receive $120,000 and the runner-up $60,000, while the women’s singles winner will collect $50,000 and the runner-up $25,000. The men’s singles two losing semi-finalists will get $30,000 each, and the losing quarter-finalists $20,000 each, while the men’s doubles winners will receive $20,000 each.

Sanguinetti said last year’s runner-up Damion Johnson is the top seed in the men’s singles with Dwayne Pagon the second seed. Jamaica’s number one player Johnson lost to Rowland ‘Randy’ Phillips in last year’s final. Phillips is currently playing on the professional tennis circuit.

Meanwhile, Michaela Stephens will be the top seed in the women’s singles with Jenna Harrison, the second seed and Selena Blythe the third seed. Defending champion Ffiona Fletcher will not be participating as she is currently on the injured list.

Several of Jamaica’s top junior players are set to participate, including fast-rising teenager Cliff Dwyer.

President of Tennis Jamaica, John Bailey, said the All-Jamaica Championships is one that should help junior players towards their development.

“This is a Jamaican tournament and the junior should take advantage of the opportunities to enter, and in the process be exposed to tougher matches that will help their development for future tournaments,” Bailey said.