Tennis-Renewed support towards Vijay League |23 December 2008

Mr Patel said this on Sunday afternoon at the Roche Caïman tennis courts as he presented the women’s trophy to Strikers and the cash prizes to the top four women’s and men’s teams in the league.

“It is you who make the league. We have to attract more young players, look for ways to keep them in tennis and make them play better,” said Mr Patel, who promised to start playing again next year.

Seychelles Tennis Association chairman John Adam said: “Vijay has become a household name in Seychelles sport and tennis is privileged to get a good sponsorship from Vijay Construction.”

Women’s league winners Strikers received a cash prize of R2,000, runners-up Friends R1,500, while third and fourth place finishers Dream Team and Golden Girls got R1,200 each.

The top four teams progressed to the knockout phase of the competition with the winners playing the fourth place finishers and the runners-up meeting the third place finishers in the two semifinals.

In last Friday’s final, Strikers made sure of victory in the two singles matches.
Nathaniel Morel gave her team the lead with a 2-0 (6-3, 6-2) win over Thara Hoareau and skipper Gloria Lauro wrapped up their victory with a 2-0 (6-3, 6-3) win over her opposite number, Clyvie Delpeche.

Chloé Romain and Stephanie Ah-Shung did not play a part in Strikers’ triumph as the two teams decided not to play the doubles match.

Strikers retained their title to be awarded the big glass floating trophy on which will be engraved the names of all the winning teams.

Strikers were crowned champions for the first time last year after Dream Team had won While Strikers are certain that they are the first team to have their name engraved on the glass trophy, the name of the men’s team is yet to be known as Club 2000 and defending champions Green Speed still haven’t been able to go head on in the final.

For two consecutive days – Saturday and Sunday – the weather was unkind to the players, forcing the organisers to postpone the final. As of yesterday, a date had not been set for the final to be played.

Meanwhile, the top four best teams in the league – winners Green Speed (R3,000), runners-up Club 2000 (R2,400), third and fourth place finishers Spitfire and Aces (R1,800 each) – received their cash prizes from Mr Patel.

Gloria Lauro of Strikers and Club 2000’s Sylvester Delpeche were named the league’s best female and male players.

G. G.