KUCHING: Sarawak Bumiputra Tennis Association (PTBS) is on a state-wide search to find female Bumiputra tennis champions and their women’s tennis development programme has gotten the backing from political secretary to the Chief Minister, Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
POTENTIAL: Hasidah (right) pose for a photo call with rising star of tennis, Alia (centre) yesterday before the start of the YB Datuk Fadillah Yusof tennis tournament. Also seen is PTBS president Tan Sri Bujang Nor.
The Semariang assemblywoman chipped in RM5,000 for the quest to unearth and develop potential female tennis players in the state.
“As an avid fan of tennis, I am disappointed in seeing the lack of females from the Bumiputra community taking up the sport. I want to encourage more participation from them in the sport,” said Hasidah who was present to officiate at the YB Datuk Fadillah Yusof tennis tournament organised by PTBS yesterday.
Speaking to thesundaypost, she added that PTBS had done a good job in promoting tennis and in the development of the sport among the Bumiputra communities.
“Local women tennis players can look up to renowned world-class players like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova as their inspiration. Tennis is one of the most followed sports in the world and it would be nice to see a top female Bumiputra player from Sarawak in the rankings. This is not impossible,” she enthused.
Sarawak might not have to wait long or need to look far as among those playing at the tournament was Alia Azman, whom according to PTBS, is one the current bright female tennis prospect.
Alia is just 13-year-old and has started playing tennis at the age of 10.
“When I first picked up the racquet three years ago, it was only for fun. I started being serious in the sport after getting much encouragement from my family and the coaches who spotted me playing here at the PTBS grounds,” revealed Alia.
Never looking back, she trained hard under the guidance of Zaini Abdul Razak and Abang Isa Abang Mentahir who are both very qualified coaches.
According to them, she is a very diligent tennis player and has a bright future ahead of her in the sport.
The duo is planning to bring Alia for more competitive exposure trips as at her young age that is what she needed the most.
Her next destination will be the Philippines, playing at the BIMP-EAGA tournament this coming December.
Eighty-four players from seven teams were registered for the second edition of the YB Datuk Fadillah Yusof tennis tournament.
The competition ends today and the winner will walk home with the coveted YB Datuk Fadillah Yusof challenge trophy.
Among the highlights of the tournament is the increase of number of female participants compared to last year.
According to PTBS representative Ismail Abdullah, this is a good sign that the game is gaining popularity among the Bumiputra community here in Sarawak.
He commented that the association is keen to promote the sport among females of the community. Ismail is calling for more females to learn more about tennis and try to play the sport.
“Female Bumiputra tennis players are rather hard to find. We only have a handful of them here in Sarawak,” Ismail added.