KUCHING: The government recognised tennis as a most appropriate sport to promote sports tourism in the state, Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom said. He also assured his ministry would continue to help develop and promote the sport here.

“Tennis is popular throughout the world as a high profile sport that generates a lot of commercial interests and revenue. Countries like the US, Russia, India and Australia have invested a lot in developing the sport as part of their tourism industry,” he said. Mawan was speaking at the official launching of Persatuan Tenis Bumiputera Sarawak’s (PTBS) statewide tournaments here yesterday.

Mawan congratulated the association, particularly its president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor, for actively promoting the sport.

“PTBS is very active in promoting tennis. I will respond to your appeal for support at the appropriate time,” he assured.

Mawan, who is also minister in charge of sports, said tennis had won honours for the state during the Sukma and PTBS players like Razlan Rawi, Mohd Zaki Fauzi and Razmee Rawi had become assets to the sport’s local fraternity.

Earlier, Bujang appealed to the government to support the association’s plan to add two more to its present seven courts at its premises. He said since 2004, the state ministry had been helping the association with a total allocation of RM155,000 and hoped it would continue to support the association in developing the sport.