Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has thrown its support behind Tennis Jamaica’s hosting of the World Group Two qualifying tie between Jamaica and Estonia.

The major tournament is scheduled for today and tomorrow on the resurfaced courts at Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in St Andrew.

“We are committed to development through sports at every level in Jamaica and indeed the entire Caribbean. An event of this magnitude is something that exemplifies the type of talent this country has and our ability to compete on the global stage,” a company release quotes SRI Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer.

The Jamaican team, which comprises John Chin, Blaise Bicknell, Jacob Bicknell, Rowland “Randy” Phillips, and Daniel Azar, faces a tough Estonia team ranked 10 spots ahead of them globally.

However, Tennis Jamaica President John Azar says the team is undaunted.

“Our players are ready for the challenge. We genuinely believe that we have a massive home court advantage, particularly because of the support that we have received from our corporate partners such as Sandals Resorts International. This is a major event and we believe in our ability to not only host a world-class tournament but to also show that we are comfortable competing against anyone,” he said.

Sandals was an official sponsor of the Jamaican team that competed in Athens, Greece last year and, according to Rainer, there is more sporting news to come out of the resort chain in the near future.

“We are constantly looking for opportunities to showcase what the people of the Caribbean are capable of, especially with the right support. Our team has had some very progressive meetings with stakeholders in various sporting fraternities and we are all excited about what the possibilities will mean for Jamaica in the future,” he said.

Sandals have been sponsors of West Indies Cricket, and sporting leagues in many of the islands where the group operates resorts across the region over the past 40 years.