Daniel Azar heads Ja team for COTECC

Jamaica's number one ranked Under-12 and Under-14 tennis player, Daniel Azar, has his sights set on leading a three-member team to success at the Confederation de Tenis de Centroamerica Caribe (COTECC) 12 and Under championships in Dominican Republic starting tomorrow.

The team, which is under the guidance of coach Matthew Rodriquez, left the island yesterday. Azar apart, the other members of Jamaica team are Delano Reeves and Matthew James.

The other countries competing in the Caribbean championships include hosts Dominican Republic, Cuba, Antigua, Bahamas, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Curacao.

Azar, who has been creating waves by winning local and overseas singles titles, said that he is aware of the pressure on him.

Pressure to deliver

"There is pressure on me to deliver. It's been tough. I am training hard with coach Matthew Rodriquez and also working with Damion Johnson. I am off to the COTECC team championships and hoping to reap success for Jamaica," Azar told The Gleaner on Wednesday during the Touch Tuina Blue Mountain Caribbean Championship at the Liguanea Club.

Azar topped his age group All Jamaica tournament last Sunday at the Eric Bell Centre and is looking forward to continue winning tournaments and improving on his way to realising his dream of playing professionally.

"The year has been good so far as I won the Under-12 tournament in Antigua last May, and looking for more success," Azar who has completed his first year at Campion College said.

His coach, Rodriquez, said that the young player has a bright future.

"Daniel will be leaving in the summer for a tennis camp in Florida. It is one of the best tennis camps.

It will give us a chance to evaluate and see where he is really at. He can go on to the pro circuit if he takes the sport seriously," Rodriquez shared.