HONDURAS
Under the leadership of president Ivanhoe Calix, who
delivered a presentation on ITF World Tennis Number at
the 2019 ITF Conference and AGM, Federacion Hondurena
de Tenis is an organisation which has changed dramatically.
Over the last eight years or so, it is an administration
which has been able to lift the performance of kids, while
those who are performing well locally are also doing better
at regional events across Central America.
The foundation of this upturn is a very strong JTI, which
is not as large as some other nations in terms of the
number of schools, but the quality of the programme is
there.
It essentially revolves around private schools in the
two major cities – the capital Tegucigalpa and San Pedro
Sula – where courts have been built and are a part of their
campuses. This is very rare in the region and has a huge
impact, while in Honduras there is also a good inter-
schools programme involving competitions and festivals.
In addition, through the ITF Facilities Grant Programme,
which was introduced in 2017, the six courts at the
National Training Centre in Tegucigalpa have been
completely refurbished.
However, due to Covid-19 these courts have been out
of bounds as they are within a public facility, and with
schools on hold also, it is private clubs and academies that
have been keeping tennis going in Honduras.
"
A strong JTI has
been hugely
significant in
Honduras
Work is ongoing
to create a
development
structure in
Panama
ITF World Spring 2021 39
PANAMA
Over the years it has proven difficult to establish a solid
development structure and grow tennis within Panama, so
there is work to do.
Historically, whether through operating the Panama Canal
or otherwise, there has been a strong United States presence
in the country with tennis courts, established by the United
States government, used by the Panamanians.
However, after the United States ceased operating the
canal, these courts were abandoned and eventually many of
them were lost.
Clubs with tennis courts are slowly being built and
they will become development partners of the national
association. In the meantime, the country's National Training
Centre in Panama City – Centro de Alto Rendimiento Fred
Maduro – is key as it allows Panama to host national and
international events, while players can play and train there.
Enthusiasm for tennis in Panama is there and Federacion
Panamena de Tenis is trying to make progress, but a
development structure needs to be established.
I will continue to work towards facilitating this structure
and, as I always say, tennis brings passion, so I am hopeful
for the passion of Panama's tennis leaders.
"
"
"
DEVELOPMENT
