Monrovia – At a time when sports development in Liberia remains largely football-focused, a quieter yet purposeful initiative continues to gather momentum this time with tennis rackets replacing boots, and classrooms turning into courts.
By: Christopher C Walker 0777898224/0886723075christopher.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
Youth for Tennis, in partnership with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Foundation, has completed another successful phase of its Tennis Clinic program, targeting students in Montserrado County with structured tennis training and physical education.
The latest round of clinics concluded with a brief but spirited ceremony held in Gardnersville, bringing together students, school authorities, and tennis instructors to reflect on the progress made over the past months.
Not Just a Game, But a Gateway
At the heart of the initiative is Coach Alfred Kandakai, a certified international tennis coach and focal person for Youth for Tennis in Liberia. For Kandakai, this isn’t just about introducing young people to a sport it’s about building access, character, and discipline through structured engagement.
“I want to thank the board of directors of Youth for Tennis and the PTR Foundation for their tireless support over the period,” said Kandakai. “Today, we mark the conclusion of another successful phase of our program.”
The program, which runs during the school year and dry season, focuses on secondary school students, providing basic tennis education, physical fitness routines, and introductory techniques often in communities where tennis has never been played before.
“Our programs are timed to align with the academic calendar. This initiative is student focused and designed to make tennis accessible right in their school yards,” Kandakai added.
The PTR Foundation: A Global Force Behind Local Change
Behind the scenes is the PTR Foundation, the charitable arm of the U.S.-based Professional Tennis Registry, founded by the late Dennis Van der Meer, a legendary coach known for training Billie Jean King and pioneering the Standard Method of tennis instruction.
The Foundation has become a global driver of inclusive and adaptive tennis programs, channeling funding, expertise, and educational resources into underserved regions Liberia being a growing success story.
With initiatives like the “Learn with Legends” virtual coaching summit and support for Special Olympics Tennis Championships, the Foundation has been instrumental in bringing tennis to places where nets and courts are rare luxuries.
A Rally for the Future
In Liberia, where tennis often takes a back seat to other sports, Youth for Tennis continues to push boundaries by embedding the sport in school programs one racket, one student, and one school at a time.
The just-ended phase reached multiple secondary schools in Montserrado, and while numbers were modest, the impact was real.
“This is not just about creating athletes it’s about giving students the chance to experience something new, build confidence, and maybe, discover a hidden talent,” Kandakai told FrontPage Africa.
As the school year winds down, organizers say the next phase of the program will resume with the return of the dry season in the new academic year.
Whether Liberia will one day produce a world-class tennis player remains uncertain. But for now, one thing is clear: Youth for Tennis and the PTR Foundation are laying the foundation, one serve at a time.
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