Tampa’s Michael-Ray Pallares brings One Love Tennis Inc. to Zambia, Africa

Founded in 2011 by professional tennis player and ITF Expert Coach Michael-Ray Pallares, One Love Tennis, Inc. is a non-profit organization designed to reach underprivileged and low-income youth through affordable tennis, education and fitness.

Last month, Michael-Ray Pallares traveled to Livingstone, Zambia, in Southern Africa to team up with Jane Kaye-Bailey’s Butterfly Tree Charity along with John Nomad’s Nomad Sports Academy to conduct an Exhibition and Play-Day Clinic for a group of 20 orphans from the Mukuni Village in Livingstone – Southern Province, Zambia.

The event, which was held at the Livingstone Royal Golf Club, began with an exhibition match between Michael-Ray Pallares and local Zambian Davis Cup hero Patrick Mufumbila.

“To be able to coordinate this event with Patrick was amazing because not only were the kids able to see what a professional match looks like, they were also able to watch a local player as well, which many can think, hey, that could be me one day,” Pallares said.

After the match, Pallares organized a Play-Day Clinic for the children, which included games and prizes for all.

“Just to see the look on the kid’s faces brought me an immense amount of joy. Being able to break-up their daily routine and bring them a moment of happiness which they will remember is invaluable.”

The Butterfly Tree Charity supports children in rural villages through an orphan support program, providing improved health and education facilities, safe water and sanitation, feeding programs and health centers contributing to the fight against diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS throughout Zambia.

The Nomad Sports Academy for orphans is designed to motivate, create self-discipline and provide the necessary skills and environment so that naturally talented vulnerable children can have an opportunity to train their bodies and minds in order to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Currently, Michael-Ray Pallares through One Love Tennis Inc. is planning on organizing an event here at home for the Tampa Bay Inner City Youth in December. He is seeking to incorporate with community outreach programs.