The Ghana Tennis Association (GTA) has been called upon to find a way of encouraging more players to take part in international competitions in order to get more players to play at the international level as that is the only way to accelerate the development of Ghana tennis to the desired level.

Apart from the exposure such international tournaments give the players, those who exhibit high potential stand the chance of attracting sponsorship, not only for themselves, but also for the GTA.

Mrs Cora Masters Barry, the CEO and founder of Recreation Wish List Committee, a tennis and learning centre based in the United States, made this call when she presented tennis equipment worth thouands of dollars to the GTA on behalf of celebrated tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams.

The items which include 1,300 sets of ball, 86 rackets of different types, tennis shoes and and shirts, are to enhance the training of the young tennis players in the country while the donation is to serve as a platform to deepen the sound relationship among African countries.

Mrs Master Barry, who firsted visited the country last year and brought Mrs Oracene Williams, mother of the celebrated world stars, said she has been encouraged to support Ghana tennis because during her first visit she realised enormous potential the young players have in the country, but they have not been able to develop it because they lack the needed support and equipment.

She said she was ready to assist the GTA secure wild-cards to world events such as the US Open, all in a bid to help develop Ghana tennis.

“There should be an opportunity for the young ones to travel and train and we are prepared to invite them to the Centre for training as that is the only way the players would be exposed and have the belief in themselves that they can succeed in the sport.

“ I can see a lot of prospects and talent in Africa and we must strive to unearth these talents, thereby making the African continent, from where we all orginate, a proud continent”, she said.

She disclosed that the initiative will be a continuos exchange programme to upgrade the standard of tennis on the continent. In view of this, Mrs Masters Barry said her outfit is considering equiping Ghana and other African nations with more kits to produce more stars like the Williams Sisters.

As a first step, a special competition will be held at the Accra Stadium in August and the first two winners will be sponsored to train at the Centre in the United States.

On the promised visit of the Williams Sisters to Africa and Ghana in particular, Mrs Master Barry said the two stars are still determined to visit Africa and Ghana but have not been able to honour their promise because of their playing and competing schedules.

“After watching the footage of our first visits, the two ladies were very excited, not just about visiting, but spending more time when they arrive.

“They are therfore planning and as soon as their playing schedule allows them, they will definitely make the trip,” she said on behalf of the Williams Sisters