The Bermuda Tennis Development Foundation (BTDF) is aiming to raise at least $30,000 from the second annual Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic next month.

Describing the level of corporate response as "very good" thus far, BTDF chairman David Lambert said yesterday they were hoping to reach that minimum target to fund initiatives which would give more of the Island's top junior players international exposure.

"Last year we fell short of our target - September 11 hurt us. This year, with the sponsorship we have been promised and with the sponsorship we are getting in kind from Elbow Beach and Government and other organisations and with the beach party, which we hope will attract 400 people, we would like to say that between $30,000 and $40,000 will be raised," said Lambert.

The charity event, which bears the name of McNeil - a successful professional women's player - takes place from September 18 to 21 and will feature several notable celebrities: current tennis professionals Amanda Coetzer and Chandra Rubin; 1990 Wimbledon runner-up Zina Garrison; actress Robin Givens; boxer Laila Ali and her husband Johnny McClain (a former cruiserweight boxing champion); basketball stars Clyde (The Glide) Drexler and Anthony (Penny) Hardaway and former New York City mayor, David Dinkins. Negotiations are still ongoing with a few other personalities.

These stars will participate in various events, including a golf tournament, cocktail parties and tennis clinics, for which corporate packages are on sale.

"We could still sell another 10 packages at the $5,000 or $7,000 level. If we could do that we would really be closing in on our target," said Lambert, noting that despite sponsorship, it was still quite costly to put together the four-day classic.

The tennis veteran hopes that, in the coming weeks and during the Classic, Bermudians will follow the lead of McNeil and company who are freely giving of themselves.

"We are very fortunate that Lori loves Bermuda and has lent her name to this event and has been using her contacts to bring celebrities to it. All of these people are her personal friends that she has invited to Bermuda to help raise money for our junior tennis programmes.

"All of the celebrities who are coming here can identify with what we are trying to do. Some of the most talented athletes in the world began their sporting careers with any source of finance and benefited from scholarships or some act of kindness that allowed them to get free coaching or lessons.

"These stars had talent but they still needed assistance to get where they are today and they understand what's necessary. We should appreciate their commitment and what they are doing for Bermuda even though none of them are Bermudian. So I would like to think Bermudians would be inspired to contribute to this venture also."

Lambert, who conceived the idea for this charity event when he met McNeil two years ago, said it would be a dream come true to be able to fund certain junior development plans.

"Bermuda is the only country in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Americas Zones 3 and 4 that does not have any players participating in the junior circuit right now. Hopefully this will be the last year that is so because some of the money from this year's Classic will send six juniors and a coach to the Caribbean for three weeks.

"We have had our share of camps and clinics, now we have to get our juniors out there to play. To go away for one tournament doesn't do it. You have to go down there for three to five weeks and it costs at least $850 just to get each kid there. So, we're talking about some decent money, at least $3,000 a kid," he said.

The proceeds will also assist juniors in getting coaching and in going to other major tennis events.

"Top coaching in Bermuda costs $70 an hour and not all of our juniors can afford private lessons. So we're going to help with this. We're also planning on sending some of our top juniors to participate in the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day," explained Lambert.