KUCHING: Seven Sarawakians will represent Malaysia in the 38th ITF World Junior Tennis Championship (Group 4) hosted by Brunei Darussalam early next month.

The players between 13 and 16 years old include rising stars such as Ariez Elyaas Deen Hisham, Mohd Assri Merzuki, Oscar Chang and Razmee Rawi (boys) and Jane Chang and Wena Tsan (girls). They will compete against more than 90 players from various countries in the championship, starting December 2.

Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president Patrick Liew said the players had qualified for the main draw by virtue of good placings in the International  Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings.

“Previously, only one or two Sarawakians competed in this international tournament hosted by Brunei but now we are able to send seven.

“I’m proud that our junior players have done well although there is still room for improvement. We are still building up our players,” he said yesterday.

Liew was also happy that the parents of the players had realised the importance of match exposure and were sending their children to more international tournaments.

“The association can help arrange tournaments and provide technical support but parental backing is also important in building up the players … by sending them to compete overseas. I’m proud to say there is a positive change among parents in this respect,” he said.

He also announced that Assri would be the sole Sarawakian selected to represent Malaysia in the Asian 14/U Masters in New Delhi, India from December 14-21.

Assri qualified by virtue of finishing in the top eight of the Asian 14 and Under (boys) ranking.

His trip to India will also be fully sponsored by Asian Tennis Federation.

He will be the second successive Sarawakian to play in the tournament normally for the eight best juniors in Asia.

The first Sarawakian to do so was Ariez earlier this year.

“I’m happy Assri is following in Ariez’s footsteps … and I hope he will develop into a good player,” Liew added.