The SLTA clubhouse after the face lift.
KUCHING: It is all systems go as the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) eagerly looks forward to organising the tennis competition in the upcoming 18th Sukma at its tennis centre along Jalan Crookshank here.
“Yes, we are ready to stage a memorable tennis competition as this Sukma’s host state,” declared SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew yesterday.
SLTA have spent more than RM400,000 (including state government grant of RM300,000) on the upgrading of facilities to resurface the 12 courts including a practice court. Works were carried out to replace the roofing and ceilings of the clubhouse, repainting the clubhouse, replacing the fencing of the tennis courts as well as clearing the drains so that they will not be clogged due to heavy rain.
Recalling the hosting of Sukma by Sarawak back in 1990, Liew said there were only six courts then.
“We also started hosting several international competitions in 1999 and over the years we continued to not only maintain but also upgrade the facilities with support from the state government and corporate bodies.
“Every year, we organise three to nine international competitions and we now have the best tennis facilities in the country,” added Liew.
Apart from having 12 courts, the tennis centre also has an administrative office, meeting and officiating room, physio room, storeroom, cafeteria and changing rooms/toilets.
On the players’ training, Liew said currently five of the state’s key players are studying and training overseas.
They are Aslina Chua (the US), Low Zhe Han, Alvin Teng Wee Jie and Rohaizat Achop Borhan Janang (Romania-Germany) and Isaac Law (Australia).
“Belinda and Aiman are training with the National Tennis Academy, Linda Liong is training in Bintulu while the rest are training at SLTA tennis centre,” said Liew.
He said the overseas players will be back for the centralised training by July 15 while Belinda, Aiman and Linda will be in Kuching by this weekend.