Dozens attend first Black History Month Afro-Caribbean tennis championship in Ottawa
More than a dozen people competed in the first Black History Month Afro-Caribbean Indoor Tennis Championship in Ottawa over the weekend.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Players included Earnest Stoner, who is new to the sport.
"Tennis is a very individual sport, which teaches a lot about life and perseverance, not giving up, staying calm and being patient," Stoner said.
But this weekend’s tournament represented more than just competition.
"There are four teams representing different areas in the world," said Kingsley Munu, the organizer and founder of Ottawa Loves Tennis.
"It’s Black History Month, so most of the players are Black from different regions, but we also have team world which covers a number of different cultures."
For Munu, it’s about bringing people together and breaking down barriers.
"The whole idea behind the tournament is to one, create awareness about tennis in the Afro-Caribbean community and two, to make sure tennis is accessible to all."
One of the barriers, Munu says, is cost, especially during the winter.
“In the city of Ottawa, there are very few indoor courts and I don’t want my community to be left behind," said Munu. "It’s important we get more accessible spaces, more affordable spaces and more indoor spaces."
Relying on sponsors, the tournament is a joint collaboration between Ottawa Loves Tennis and UNILEARNAL, celebrating cultural heritage and the love of the game.
"I think sometimes we’re a little nervous to go into it, because it’s not dominated by Black people, I mean depending on where it is in the world," said spectator, Sabine Dunac.
A tennis player herself, Dunac was one of many showing their support over the weekend.
"We don’t have a lot of events here in Ottawa that has to do with the Black community and tennis together, so that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come," Dunac said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.