SLTA set good example for local sports bodies

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Masing (front row, third right), Liew (front row, third left) and Lee (front row, second left) cutting the SLTA 50th Anniversary cake while Liew’s wife Datin Diana Tay (front row, left), committee members and international players looked on. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Masing (front row, third right), Liew (front row, third left) and Lee (front row, second left) cutting the SLTA 50th Anniversary cake while Liew’s wife Datin Diana Tay (front row, left), committee members and international players looked on. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa

KUCHING: Local sports associations are urged to emulate the success of Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) for taking tennis to greater heights.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said SLTA through its tennis development programmes had produced top national players namely Ariez Elyaas Deen Hesham and Mohd Assri Merzuki who are in Malaysia’s Davis Cup team, reigning woman top seed, Aslina Chua and Under-16 boys’ champion, Alvin Teng.

“SLTA has a well-structured junior development programme starting with children below age 10 who are placed under “The
Play & Stay” programme and taught co-ordination and basic tennis skills,” Taib commented.

“Top tennis players who are academically capable have also been recommended by SLTA to further their studies in United States and since then a total of 35 tennis players have enjoyed this privilege,” he added.

Taib’s speech was read by Minister of Land Development, Tan Sri Dr James Masing during the welcoming and fellowship dinner held on Wednesday for players competing in the ongoing 21st Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (I) as well as in conjunction with SLTA’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

“Your reputation as a professional and good host have earned SLTA worldwide recognition and have placed Sarawak on the world map with Kuching now recognised as the preferred destination for hosting ATF and ITF tournaments,” he said, adding that the state government and the Ministry of Social Development were always supportive of tennis and its development in the state.

Taib also commended SLTA for having hosted many international tournaments since 1999 and expressed hope for other associations to follow suit with the aim to promote Sarawak as a reputable hosting venue of world class sporting events.

Meanwhile, SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew in his welcoming speech expressed the association’s gratitude to state government for the continuous support throughout the years.

“Without them, SLTA will not have been able to transform from a shack with six tennis courts into what we have now,” he said while reminiscing the old days when the association’s centre started off from a humble beginning.

Among those present at the dinner were Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin, SLTA committee members as well as players and officials from the 31 participating countries of the 21st Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (I) ITF Junior Tennis Championship (Grade 1) which will end this Sunday.