KUCHING: Some of the top juniors players are skipping the Sarawak Age Group tennis championship this year as they are competing in tournaments outside the state.
Sukma XVII player Rohaizat Achop Borhan Janang is now in Manila for the Asean Schools Games while Muhammad Aiman Hamdan is competing in the PTBS tournament in Miri.
Others normally go to play in tournaments in Perlis, Pulau Pinang or Kuala Lumpur.
According to tournament advisor Dato Patrick Liew, the majority of the participants are newcomers and the competition is a good venue for them to gain match experience.
“It also serves a venue for us to unearth and identify new talents who can be groomed into calibre players to represent Sarawak at national and international competitions,” said Liew who is Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president.
The annual competition organised by SLTA is also part of its tennis development programme.
“Many of the juniors undergo regular training but most do not have the chance to play in tournaments and this is a good place to gauge/assess their skills.
“In Kuching, we do have the monthly medals competitions but we want the players to get used to competing in tournaments to strengthen their mental toughness,” said Liew who also heads the Kuching Division Lawn Tennis Association.
The Sarawak Age Group tournament has attracted a total of 16 players who are vying for top honours in the Boys U18, U14, U10 and the Girls U14.
All matches today will start at 8am at SLTA Tennis Centre along Jalan Crookshank.