6th graders get in the swing of things at the Hyatt

Last Friday at 8:30am, 21 6th grade students from San Antonio Elementary School, led by teacher John Jenkins, descended upon the Hyatt Regency Saipan armed with their tennis racquets and their enthusiasm.

The children were met by Faheem Ebrahim, the manager of Club Elan, and for approximately an hour they learned about some of the finer points of the game from one of the area’s finest players.

“Everything about it was a good. The kids were pretty excited and they had a good time. It’s a great way for them to experience the sport,” said Ebrahim.

According to Jenkins, the kids really enjoyed the hands-on learning experience at the Hyatt, and that the notion of educating the children about the under exposed world of tennis is something that had occurred to him months ago.

“I had ordered racquets for my students over the summer in hopes to encourage the sport of tennis. Most local children of the CNMI have been exposed to sports such as basketball and baseball, however; tennis is one of those sports they seem very alienated from. It’s a sport that has been neglected too much and for too long in the public schools,” said Jenkins.

Jenkins said that he was inspired to purchase the racquets last year when Arnold Yuen from the United States Tennis Association came to visit Saipan. Yuen orchestrated workshops at a couple of public schools, including San Antonio Elementary School.

Ebrahim said that to the best of his knowledge this was the first trip of its kind at the Hyatt, and that he definitely sees the possibility of a return trip in the future.

“I had a great time. We focused on footwork, control, the importance of opposite hand play, and then we played some games,” said Ebrahim.

In Jenkins’ opinion, tennis has been an activity for adults and those privileged enough to take private lessons, and being a tennis fanatic himself, He has joined the ranks with a few other leaders who are making every effort to make a connection with tennis and the public schools.

“I am encouraged to know that these sorts of exercise activities are now supported by our Commissioner of Education’s initiative to promote physical education for each classroom teacher,” said Jenkins.

After the tennis training was completed, the kids were treated to a walk around the hotel and a tour of the kitchen. Student Ray Lizama later told Jenkins that, “this was by far the best field trip” he has ever taken.

“We are all so appreciative of Faheem providing this workshop to my students as I know they will forever remember his teaching tips and drills that kept us laughing and loosing weight at the same time,” said Jenkins.