SLTA to host international junior tennis tournaments
Dato Patrick Liew
KUCHING: Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) had been entrusted by International Tennis Federation (ITF) to host the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup By PNB Paribas World Junior Tennis Boys/Girls Asia/Oceania Pre-qualifying round.
SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew who confirmed the news yesterday said Kuching, Sarawak was chosen as the alternate venue for the Mar 18 to 25 event because Thailand had withdrew from hosting it at the very last minute.
“We have a proven track record of hosting the event here in previous years and we are ready to organise the competition,” he enthused.
The competition was held in Thailand last year and the country was again selected to become host this year but pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances.
“SLTA also received a letter from ITF’s official, Luca Santill who is head of Juniors and Seniors Tennis telling us to prepare for the organising of the event,” said Liew, adding that 35 teams have already confirmed taking part in the competition.
At present, there are seven entries in the Junior Fed Cup, 12 entries in the Junior Davis Cup, 11 entries in the World Junior Tennis Boys and five entries in the World Junior Team Girls.
“ITF will also give SLTA a grant of US$49,000 (RM151,900) which is US$1,400 (RM4,340) per team to help fund the costs of organising the competition here,” Liew added.
The four-in-one and back to back competitions will make it a very busy year for SLTA which had already confirmed organising five international events.
They are 21st Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (I) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 1) from Mar 12-17, World Junior Team Competition Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying Boys from Apr 8-14, World Junior Team Competition Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying Girls from Apr 15-21, 9th ATF Asian 14 and Under Series from Sept 11-15 and the 22nd Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (II) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 3) from Oct 15-20.
Apart from the above, SLTA will organise the Junior Development Programme Campaign (Play and Stay) on Mar 2-3, SLTA’s 50th Anniversary Dinner on Mar 13, and the Inter Division and Sarawak Closed from May 2-6.
It is also bidding to host three ATP US$10,000 Men’s Futures back-to-back competitions sometime in September.