Dear Readers,
On the 10th of September, 2021 the Hope Performance Tennis Inc delivered on another innovation in the game of tennis. We brought together different tennis players together to play in what we have named the One Ballpoint Tournament. It is the gathering of all tennis players regardless of their age, gender, ability, skill or any other consideration to play at the prestigious Frank Ofori Centre court in Accra battling over one point in a match from the first round through to the finals.
The objective of the foundation in creating this tournament is to provide a platform where all forms of discrimination in playing tennis shall be eliminated which in practice creates an atmosphere of fun, networking, promote tolerance and love for the game whilst competing against players from different backgrounds in the game.
I am excited to report that the maiden tournament received 89 registration which required a 64 draw with a qualifying draw into the main draw. We had participants from all categories of the game from under 12 to 16 through to the Professional level where the current Ghana Number one Johnson Acquah, former Davis Cup players, Coaches, wheelchair tennis players, males, females and social players all participated.
At a toss of a coin, the winner of the toss will decide whether to serve or to receive and the opponent gets to choose the side of the court. Only one point is played and the match is over. It was truly a great time at the Stadium where under 12 players faced former Davis Cup players, where men competed against women and wheelchair tennis players had to battle with their non-wheelchair counterparts.
After close to three hours of action, it was Albert Arthur a former Davis Cup Pro and currently, the Coach of the Ghana Tennis Female team who won the tournament after defeating Tina Tagoe in the finals and Gabriel Friday took third place. For their prizes, they went home with a cheque of $100, $50 and $20 respectively.
Among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion was the Founding President of the Hope foundation Enock Godi, Ismaila Lamptey the CEO of Baboo Sports, Roger Crawford the President of the Tennis Foundation Ghana, Mr. Eric Nana Kyei, Chairman of the Accra Stadium Tennis Club, Coach Henry Quansah and Coach Doe Adjani.
The President of the foundation Enock Godi was deeply excited that such a platform has been created as a tool to promote tolerance and to combat discrimination, in his words he made it clear that the Hope Performance Tennis Foundation is deeply committed to give hope where there is doubt and despair using tennis as the vehicle and that the one ballpoint tournament in many ways serves that purpose.
We are truly convinced from all considerations that the maiden edition of the One Ballpoint Tournament was a huge success. We can’t wait for the next one.
Yours in Sports
Cedric Dzelu
Executive Director