First female President as Tennis elects new executive

Mar 23, 2014 Sports

The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) elected a new board of executive members during its Annual General Meeting held on March 20th 2014 at the Georgetown Cricket Club Pavilion on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Bourda. Grace McCalman is now the President, blazing a trail of becoming the first female to hold the position in the Association.
Six tennis Clubs were represented at the meeting including Georgetown Tennis Club, Roraima Tennis Club, Diamond Tennis Club, Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club, Non Pariel Tennis Club and Park Players

First female President of the GLTA Grace McCalman (5th from right) and her executive take time out for a photo following the elections.

Tennis Club.
In the outgoing president’s report, Ramesh Seebarran reflected on his term as president of the GLTA and pointed to the many tournaments that were held including those sponsored by companies such as Assuria Insurance, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Trophy Stall and Courts and the annual training camp that was sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers. He gave a comprehensive account of all activities the GLTA participated in between January and December 2013 as well as the first two months of this year. He thanked the ITF for their unwavering support which was the key to bringing the association thus far and his colleagues on the outgoing GLTA Board.
However the outgoing president lamented the need for Guyana to have new and better tennis training facilities, especially a facility that meets international standards for the hosting of regional and other tournaments with at least six courts along with proper accommodations for players and spectators.
Meanwhile, new President Grace McCalman expressed great appreciation for the vote of confidence by the electors. She committed herself to continuing to work tirelessly for the development of tennis in Guyana and noted that although she is aware of the challenges which includes the need for the GLTA to have a permanent home, improving discipline among players and making the Coaches association function better, is very optimistic of clearing these hurdles and taking our tennis to a new and higher level.
She recounted her path from helping to reestablish the GLTA in 2004 with others and reiterated that her position of Presidency is not intended to change plans because the plans have been sound. But that she will strive to ensure that her executive provides her with the same level of support that she provided over the last few years and that the strength of the executive does not decrease so that the plans can be implemented successfully.
She noted that 2013 was the first year in recent tennis history that the association received support from the Government and this is significant for tennis going forward. A major item on the agenda of the new executive shall be the hosting Inter Guianas Tournament that is slated to be held in Georgetown in late October of this year.
Other executive committee members are:
1st Vice-President– Andrew Sawh
2nd Vice-President – Ramesh Seebarran in acting capacity
Secretary – Selma Rahman
Treasurer – Elizabeth Persaud
Committee Member – Rebecca Mitchell
Committee Member – Jamal Goodluck
Committee Member – Tandy Primo
Committee Member – Surendra Khayyam
Public Relations Officer – Waynewright Orderson
Assistant Public Relations Officer – Jamal Goodluck