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By JOSH JORGENSON
T-R Sports Writer
It is not often that Central Iowa tennis players get to compete in the same event as some
of the most recognized names in the business, however, that will all change Sunday.
By participating in the Tennis for Africa/Marshalltown Open tennis tournament, area
athletes will have the opportunity to join such players as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and
Jennifer Capriati in raising money for poor children in Africa, tournament organizer Remy
Besset said.While the trio of pro players will not physically be
in Marshalltown, as they will be participating in a similar event in Rome on the same day,
Besset said the spirit of helping those in need will link the two sites.
“Since our events are held on the same day, with the same purpose in mind, our
promotional flyers can honestly say, ‘Join Agassi, Sampras and Capriati in a Tennis
for Africa event,” said Besset, who is a foreign exchange student at Marshalltown
High School and a member of the Bobcat tennis team.
Besset, who has been working on organizing the event for two months, said there are a pair
of reasons he planned the tournament.
“I love tennis, plus I am really concerned about Africa,” said Besset, who
originally hails from France, but whose parents now reside in Africa.
According to Carrie Barr, Besset’s host mother, it is only by chance that Besset got
linked with Tennis for Africa.
“He was surfing the web looking for something to do one day,” Barr said of the
accidental encounter.
After originally helping the charity with translations on its web site, Besset looked into
helping with other ventures.
“Being a kid he thought he could dive in and do anything,” Barr said. “Sure
enough along the way we have this tournament planned.”
Barr said Besset’s initiative of planning the tournament was not surprising.
“He is a dear, sweet kid,” Barr said. “He is a big hearted wonderful
guy.”
With the tournament only days away Besset is still hoping to fill several openings, as he
currently has about 10 total commitments and is hoping to attract 32 players in each of
the men’s and women’s divisions.
“Right now I don’t have a lot of people signed up,” Besset said. “I
hope I have enough people because it is a great cause. I want everyone to get together and
have fun.”
The tournament, which is slated for ages 14-and-over, has a cost of $10 for high school
athletes and $15 for adults. Play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the MHS tennis courts
and the Elmwood Country Club tennis courts.
In addition Besset has five autographed T-shirts to auction. The shirts are signed by
players such as Agassi, Sampras, Alex Corretja and Magnus Norman.
For more information contact Besset at 752-9778 or rbesset@hotmail.com.
To find out more about Tennis for Africa visit the Internet web site http://www.tennisforafrica.org/
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