Nike Junior Tour in Punta Cana

The 2009 version of the Masters Nike Junior Tour (NJT), an international tennis tournament that brings together players from 60 countries, took place last Thursday through Sunday (October 15-18) in Punta Cana’s Club Med installations. The four categories that competed in the tournament were divided into boys and girls in the 12 and 14-year age group.

This was the first year the Dominican Republic hosted the NJT which has been going on, uninterrupted,…

This was the first year the Dominican Republic hosted the NJT which has been going on, uninterrupted, since 1997. World renowned tennis players such as number two champ, Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Argentina’s Del Potro once played in this tournament.

Last Thursday, prior to the matches, an event to welcome the players included a performance by the Tourism Ministry’s Folkloric Ballet; special guests invited by the Sports Ministry and the President of the Tennis Federation Perio Maldonado. Deputy Tourism Minister, Fausto Fernández, attended the event representing Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.

The Dominican Republic which, in principle, had no players in the tournament, entered Juan Bisonó in the 14-year-old category thanks to a request from Persio Maldonado to the director of the tournament.

The event represented a boost in tourism promotion in that it brought 400 visitors, among players, judges, organizers and families, to the Dominican Republic.