FORMER New York Mayor David Dinkins believes tennis could be a powerful weapon for Bermuda in the fight against crime and the growing gang culture.

Mr. Dinkins, who will be visiting the island for the Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic charity event next month, told the he had seen how tennis could help to build better citizens.

"I am very active in the US Junior Tennis League, which was started by Arthur Ashe and Chris Pasarell," Mr. Dinkins said.

"The New York Junior Tennis League provides free tennis instruction for something in the neighbourhood of 170,000 youngsters.

"This is a very, very positive thing for young people. It keeps them occupied and they do better in school and it's healthy.

"I believe tennis to be one of the most important things that kids can do. When kids play tennis, they don't get involved in anti-social and illegal behaviour. It produces better, more productive citizens.

"It's good for your health and you can play tennis for a lifetime. I'm 79 years old and I play five times a week."

Mr. Dinkins was the 106th Mayor of the Big Apple and served a four-year term from 1985 to 1989. A professor at Columbia University, he also hosts a radio show, . He also sits on the boards of many charitable organisations.

The Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic is organised by the Bermuda Tennis Development Foundation (BTDF) and will see several sports stars coming to the island to raise funds for the development of junior tennis here.

Mr. Dinkins took part in the two previous Classics and said he was looking forward to returning to Bermuda.

"It's a wonderful cause," Mr. Dinkins added. "I love tennis and I love children and I'll go anywhere to promote this cause."

Celebrities attending the four-day event include former Australian, US and French Open champion Hana Mandlikova, other top WTA Tour players Wendy Turnbull and Katrina Adams, former NFL star Curtis Conway and Laila Ali, a women's boxing world champion.

It had been hoped that the last British player to win Wimbledon, Virginia Wade, would also attend, but she has told organisers she will now be unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.

Ms Mandlikova said this week that she was excited to be returning to the island. She took part in the first Celebrity Classic some five years ago.

"I've been all over the world and I think Bermuda is the nicest place I've ever seen," Ms Mandlikova said. "The people are so nice and the beaches are wonderful."

The former world number three, who was born in the former Czechoslovakia and now lives in the US, played at Wimbledon last month in the 35-and-over doubles with Lori McNeil. And next month, she will play in the 35-plus mixed doubles with Ilie Nastase at the US Open in New York.

Asked whether she missed the professional tennis circuit, she said: "Not at all ? I have a couple of children and they are my main focus now. I'm really happy in my family life.

"I had a very difficult time immediately after I stopped playing on the Tour and I think every top player has to go through that. But I've been very lucky in that I had the best in tennis and now I'm enjoying the best in family life."

David Lambert, chairman of the BTDF, said slots were still available for sponsors to take part in clinics and social events with the sports stars.