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Final: Ducao II - Larida vs Gęsikowski - Stankiewiecz 6:2, 4:6 and 13:11

Doubles

I. place Fr. Ducao II I. - Fr. Larida J.
II. place Ks. Stankiewicz D. - Ks. Gęsikowski M.
III. place Bp. Baccay R. - Ks. Haber A.
III. place Ks. Suarez F. - Ks. Serrano A.

Consolation tournament:

I. place Ks. Dubiel A.
II. place Ks. Wierzchoń P.
III. place Ks. Kiełek R.
III. place O. Florentyn Muszyński

The results of the tournament in each category:

• The main event - single game to 50 year old
• The main event - single game +50 year old
• The main event - single game +60 year old

1. Can you say a few words about yourself?

My name is Paul Ugo Arinze. I was born in Nigeria, West Africa. I am the 6th of 8 children. Both my parents are practicing Catholics. I went to Minor seminary and College seminary in Nigeria before joining the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin in 1995. I was ordained a priest for the diocese of Madison in May of 1999. I served in one parish as an assistant priest and was named a pastor after two years. I served in two other parishes as the pastor before being named the Director of Vocations in 2009. I have enjoyed both parish work and my current job as the Director of the Office of Vocations. I love going out to talk to young people about priestly vocations.

2. How did your adventure with tennis start? We know you are an official tennis umpire with professional qualifications. How did it happen that you became an umpire?

For many years growing up I was ball kid for my father when he played with his friends. That was how I picked up interest in tennis. I played for my high school and also in College Seminary. I still play in USTA summer leagues in the mixed doubles category. After ordination in 1999, I happen to be watching a state high school event and that is when I came in contact to referee and the rest as they say is history. I began officiating at the High School and College level in the year 2000 and was certified in 2006 for professional events. I currently an ITF Bronze Badge International Chair umpire. Which qualifies me to officiate at any level of tennis events all over the world.

3. What do you consider your greatest achievement in tennis?

I could name a few things. But if were to pick two, Chairing the Boys singles Championship finals at the US Open in 2010 and being selected as a Chair umpire for the London 2012 Paralympics.

4. Which tennis tournament had a deepest impact on you?

Without any doubt the US Open. Wimbledon ranks up there because of the uniqueness of the grass court.

5. Which tennis racket do you play yourself? and why?

I don’t want to sound like I am promoting any brand, but I play with Prince. It just feels right when I play with it.

6. Do you have any suggestions about equipment for amateurs?

I would suggest trying a few racquets before settling for one. You racquet will enhance your play and it must feel right in your hands. Also, buy tennis shoes that feels good in your foot and not just a brand name.

7. What kind of changes have you noticed in officiating matches during your umpire career?

How fast these players have become and how big they serve. They are also very conditioned and can play at a high level for a longer period of time.

8. What kind of level do you expect of our tournament?

I have to expectations coming to Poland for this event. I am looking forward to watching my brother priests compete and having a good time. Obviously, non of us are professional tennis prayers so I would not expect anyone to play at that level.

9. What made you decide to accept the invitation to our tournament?

Late Pope John Paul the Great! When I read your invitation and realized that it will be in Krakow or at least near it, I could not turn that down. I was privileged to meet the Pope at the Vatican in a private audience in April of 2003. What day will always be fresh in my memory. Besides, JP II inspired me to pursue the priesthood. In a way, it is as if I am making a pilgrimage to his birth place on this trip.

Thursday 13/09/2012

Cathedral and Royal Castle on Wawel Hill

Cathedral of Saints Stanislaw and Waclaw on the Wawel Hill is the place where it was made the coronation of Polish kings and their final resting place. The Cathedral is a Gothic three-aisled basilica with a straight-ended chancel and transept and ambulatory.
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Royal Castle is a historic residence located on Wawel hill in the heart of Krakow. The castle became the most famous Renaissance monument in Poland, it is also a visit card of Krakow. It covers an area of 7040 m², where you can explore 71 exhibition rooms.
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Tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine

It is the only Salt Mine in the world functioning continuously since the Middle Ages to the present. Mine has the original excavations and its depth reaches up to 327 meters. You can admire the development stages of mining technology over time.
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Friday 09/14/2012

Departure for Czestochowa

Jasna Gora is the sanctuary, Pauline monastery in Czestochowa, located on a hill. It is one of the most important places of Marian devotion, and for hundreds of years, the most important pilgrimage center in Poland. Jasna Gora is the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and a collection of many other works of art.
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Saturday 15/09/2012

Departure to Auschwitz and visit German concentration camp

Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Shoah. It was established by Germans in the mid-1940 in the suburbs of Oswiecim, as incorporated by the Nazis in the Third Reich.
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Walking of Wadowice

Wadowice is the hometown of Pope John Paul II, whose house is now a museum. Here you can see the origion documents of the life and work of Karol Woytyla. Family home of John Paul II is located next to the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Visiting the Monastery in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Sanctuary in Kalwaria, founded in the early seventeenth century as a foundation of Mikolay Zebrzydowski, is today the most interesting in Poland, landscape and architectural guidelines and the most frequented places of pilgrimage Polish.
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Sunday 09/16/2012

Visiting the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy and Holy Mass.

Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Lagiewniki is related to the life and work of St. Sister Faustina Kowalska, a worshiper of Divine Mercy. From the 40th Twentieth century, this place of pilgrimage associated with the presence graces famous image of Merciful Jesus and the tomb of St. Faustina.
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Pictures from the meeting

Come to Krakow for the XII Tennis Championship for Priests, where this tournament will take place for the second time. The organizer of the tournament is Msgr. Józef Caputa. His Emminence Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz is the Honorary Patron of the event.
The Company "Can - Pack" S.A. will sponsor the tournament. The tennis tournament will take place in the WKS WAWEL Sports Club from the 10th until the 12th of September.

I direct my invitation to all priests and religious who have had some active contact with tennis. I assure you that the level of play is very diversified, which will allow for great fun.

The idea behind this initiative is to promote tennis in the priestly environment as a worthy sports discipline. Tennis as a sport favors a healthy life style. In order to play a good match - as some priestly tennis players say - you must train and put in a lot of hard work as you would in order to preach the most important sermon of your life. Afterwards, there remains only the need to fight for the victory. Therefore, don't hesitate. Practice, come to play and triumph!

John Paul II in a discourse during his encounter with athletes said:

"Each type of sport contains within itself a rich treasure of values, of which we should be aware, in order to fully live them. The practice of concentration (attention), forming our will, endurance, responsibility, enduring hardships and inconveniences, a spirit of abnegation and solidarity, fidelity to our duty - all belong to sport virtues. I encourage all of you, athletes, that you live in accordance with the demands of these values, so that in life you will always be upright, honest and balanced men, who will elicit trust and hope."

Blessed John Paul II was a Pope, who not only loved sport and whom sportsmen loved... but for many of them (many of us) he is today the "Patron of all athletes."

If you have doubts about whether it will be worthwhile to come to Krakow the moment has come to put them aside. In addition to the sports' demands there will be time in order to visit Krakow, the only city in the world that possesses in the very fabric of its being so many places connected with almost the entire life of John Paul II. In order to facilitate the possibility of visiting these places, especially for those priests from other cities and countries, the following program will be offered:

• Wawel Castle - Holy Mass in the Cathedral
• The Shrine of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki near Krakow The John Paul II Center - Holy Mass at the altar with the relics of Bl. John Paul II
• Major Archdiocesan Seminary of Krakow
• For those interested (after the tournament) there will be the possibility of visiting Krakow, Wadowice and Auschwitz

To take up this invitation of following in these "footsteps" (trails) will help us to better understand the phenomenon of the figure of Bl. John Paul II in today's world, for whom Cracovia totius poloniae urbs celeberrima (Krakow is the most celebrated of all Polish cities)

I would therefore politely request that you also send this information along to priests and religious from other parishes and Congregations who are tennis players. My invitation to participate in the tennis tournament is directed also to your friends from abroad.

I kindly ask for information regarding your interest since the degree of interest and confirmed registrations will affect the scale of preparation, number of reservations and other activities concerning the proper preparation of the tournament. I shall therefore be very grateful for the quickest possible registration information as well as any other comments. Once again, I wholeheartedly invite all to take part in our tournament.