The Gambia Tennis Association 2009 ‘Closed Tournament’ is currently underway at the Independence Stadium Tennis court in Bakau.

The tournament brought together participants from both male and female categories who are taking part in various events such as men’s Singles and Doubles and female Singles and Doubles.

Balla Suso is one of the most outstanding players in the male category following an impressive performance which saw him emerge winner in the men’s Single after two straight wins with 6-1, 6-0 and a walk away.

Another player who is doing well is Seedy Bojang  after winning  twice  in a round with 6-0. 6-0 and 6-2, 7-5 and finished second. Yankuba Drammeh came out third after securing 2 wins in a row with 6-1, 6-1 and 6-4, 7-5.

Other players who berthed their places in the quarter final stage are Macini Ca, Basuruwa Conteh, Shady Mamoud , Lamin Drammeh (Ken) and Sulayman Jobe respectively.

The female category is also producing some brilliant performance like Lala Sillah who topped her group with 6-0 and Fatou Saidy in second with 6-0, closely followed by Wudeh Saho also with 6-0 while Fatou Saho who occupied the 4th spot secured 6-0.

Out of 8 players only 4 were able to make it to the quarter final stage in the female category.

Meanwhile in the double category Maciano Ca and Basuruwa Conteh emerged the most outstanding players after securing a bye in the first round with 6-1, 6-0 in the quarter final and will play in the semi-final with other qualifiers Bala Suso and Seedy Bojang who came out second after winning 6-2, 6-0 on Monday.

The President of the Gambia Tennis Association, Sheriff Jammeh, who is the Organiser of the tournament, speaking to Pointsport said the purpose of the championship is to expose the players and prepare them better for further tennis tournaments within the sub region.

He said,“This will enable the association to select competent and potential tennis players to represent The Gambia in the international

tournament particularly the Davis Cup  in which The Gambia has never participated due to lack of potential players,” he added

He hailed participants for what he described as a magnificent performance and believed the tennis is moving successfully in the country as opposed to what it was before.

The tournament is expected to end on Sunday 12 April 2009.