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Government ministers will take on some of the world's best tennis players at next week's Classic.

The event - featuring four tennis hall-of-famers - will include a chance for some of the island's politicians to hit with the stars and a chance for them to beat up on each other on the court, instead of in the house.

Health minister Patrice Minors and her colleague Nelson Bascome will be suiting up for the PLP, while UBP colleagues Michael Dunkley, shadow home affairs minister, and Pat Gordon Pamplin, shadow finance minister, will provide the opposition.

But Bascome promised there would be no political point scoring.

"It's all friendly stuff. It's more of a goodwill tournament. It's not really hard-hitting, nail biting sort of stuff. It's normally a fun type of competition.

"I've been playing more golf than tennis lately, but I've got a bit of a game, he said."

Organiser David Lambert said the Friday fun day at the tournament was open to all.

Some of the island's top young players will also be involved in clinics with the four stars - Katrina Adams, Hana Mandlikova, Wendy Turnbull and mayor David Dinkins.

There will also be various competitions where those in the crowd can win prizes including tennis rackets, CDs, and DVDs.

This exhibition section of the event will be held at the Government Tennis Stadium next Friday. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

The rest of the classic is primarily aimed at sponsors who will be involved in clincs at Elbow Beach on Thursday and Saturday as well as a welcoming cocktail part and Bacardi night.

A black-tie event at Café Lido on Saturday night is open to all and will offer a chance to meet the stars as well as entertainment from a host of local performers including Shine Hayward and comedian Nadanja. Tickets are $100.

Lambert said the idea of the event was to raise funds to send juniors to compete in world ranking tournaments overseas.

For more information about the tournament visit www.btdf.bm.[[In-content Ad]]

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