THE second staging of the Mayberry Investments Ltd Open Junior Tennis Championship set for August 11-12 was launched yesterday at the Liguanea Club and is expected to attract approximately 90 youngsters.

Paul Buchanan, assistant sales manager, presented a cheque for an indisclosed amount to Tennis Jamaica on behalf of Mayberry, which is in its second year of sponsorship of the event.

"Following up on our involvement last year, Mayberry is proud to be partnerning with tennis again because while tennis is not one of Jamaica's dominant sport, its importance, relevance and popularity is steadily growing," said Buchanan.

The two-day event serves off on Saturday at Liguanea Club at 9:00 am with the final set for Sunday.

Leroy Brown, Tennis Jamaica's Honourary Secretary, said it is always a pleasure for his organisation to say thanks to sponsors because they are the lifeblood of any tournament.

Said Brown: "What we need is more sponsorships and when Mayberry came on board with this junior tournament last year, we were elated and to have them come back again this year is fantastic."

According to the organisers, the level of participation expected will lend credence to the growing level of support in Jamaica at the junior level and will address the overall aim of boosting that level islandwide.

Tournament director Llockett McGregor thinks these events are motivation to young players who see tennis as a channel to excel academically and physically.

The players will vie for trophies and prizes in the categories Boys and Girls Under-10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

In addition to prizes, the winners in each category will receive points towards their national ranking. Closing date for entries is tomorrow.