ITF gives SLTA honour of hosting January youth tournament

KUCHING: Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) has succeeded in its bid to host yet another international youth tournament.

London-based International Tennis Federation (ITF) has given SLTA the honour of hosting the ITF 14 and Under Asian Championships 2009 Group 2 from January 10 to 21, 2009.

SLTA president Patrick Liew said he received the good news via e-mail from the sport’s governing body last week notifying him that Kuching would play host.

“It is an honour and privilege for SLTA … not only to be hosting this event but also our success in meeting up to the expectations and high standards of ITF, world tennis’ governing body,” he said when interviewed yesterday.

Sixteen countries, including hosts Malaysia, are expected to take part. The rest are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Macau, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Each of the visiting teams will send up to six players comprising three boys and three girls, and a coach. The host nation, on the other hand, is entitled to enter 10 for their team.

For this event, ITF is prepared to offer the hosts a grant of US$13,500 to cover the cost of accommodation and meals for the participants.

ITF development officer Suresh Menon, who is also a former coach of Indonesia, will attend the tournament and assist with the running of the training camp on January 11.

Liew hoped that this tournament would inspire more parents to sign their children up for development programmes under SLTA.

Tennis enthusiasts wishing to improve their skills or play the game as a social and recreational activity are also encouraged to sign up.

“The fact that we have organised so many international tournaments shows that we have the best facilities as far as tennis is concerned,” said Liew.

On another development, Liew announced that local firm Danawar Resources Sdn Bhd would again provide WiFi services for the 12th Chief Minister’s Cup ITF World Junior Tennis Championship Group 3 which begins on November 2.

“The players, officials and even the members of the media can enjoy this facility for free during the tournament at the SLTA Clubhouse. It is also an important medium for the players and officials to communicate with family members or sponsors in their respective countries,” said Liew.

“We are also looking into developing webcam recordings of the matches using this technology.”