Lithuania’s leading tennis player Ričardas Berankis attended in the event where 25 children and youth got acquainted with tennis, football and other sports.
The 25 participants, aged 12-14 years from five schools in the capital Vilnius, are the same ones who have already participated in an addiction prevention programme arranged by Mentor in Lithuania.
“During this time of economic downturn children have less opportunity to spend summer vacations in an interesting, meaningful way and without extra cost. Therefore, this year we wanted to provide such an opportunity. I’m convinced that this is an investment into the future of the children that may change their lives,” says Aivaras Čičelis, head of the Corporate Banking unit at SEB in Lithuania and a board member of Mentor Lietuva.
According to General Secretary of Mentor Lietuva, Jurgita Ribinskaitė, kids have already gained their first knowledge about a healthy lifestyle during the previous prevention programs.
“Children have already learnt about the harmful effect of drugs, learnt to think critically and defend their opinion. But at the same time it is highly important to demonstrate a real example of how much easier it is to take responsible decisions when leading a healthy lifestyle, sporting actively, taking care of yourself and people around you,” says Ribinskaitė when describing the idea of the summer camp.
For five days children learned to play tennis, football and also some less traditional sports, such as golf, squash as well as an introduction to yoga. “We wanted the kids to learn more about their own personalities as well as gain more confidence in themselves and in their peers through active participation in various activities,” 
Ribinskaitė says.
Talking to the participants, 20-year-old tennis player Berankis said sports requires considerable time and energy, and there is nothing left to waste on the street.
“I thank sports for my healthy and exciting life – travelling, meeting interesting people, and seeing different cultures. Sports is just as important for non-professionals, because it develops physical features, improves diligence, patience, determination and persistence,” the young tennis champion told the kids.
SEB’s Tennis Academy is the first sports camp arranged by SEB in Lithuania and Mentor Lietuva. SEB financed the event.
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