Liew presents details of the upcoming tournaments to Karim (fourth right) while SLTA committee, events organising committee and Sports Unit head of the ministry Zul Usup (second right) look on.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) will be organising four major tournaments from September to November this year.
They are the 12th ATF Asian 14/U Series from Sept 13-17, the 30th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (II) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 3) from Oct 10-15, the ITF Men’s Pro Circuit US$15,000 from Oct 16-22 and the Genting Tennis Malaysia National Circuit Sarawak Open from Nov 8-12.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who announced this yesterday, said he was happy to see SLTA continuing to organise a series of both local, national and international tennis events every year.
Some 100 juniors aged 10 and 14 from 12 or 13 countries are expected for the 12th ATF Asian 14/U Series from Sept 13-17.
The 30th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (II) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 3) is expected to attract 220-250 players from 25 countries.
The press conference at Karim’s office at Bangunan Baitul Makmur yesterday was held after the minister was briefed by SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew and his committee.
“The hotels, food joints and transport companies are all very happy with this kind of events,” he added.
All the top players in the country and players from six countries will compete in the Genting Tennis Malaysia National Circuit Sarawak Open which is being organised for the first time.
“The organising of the series of tennis events will make sports very exciting in Sarawak and it is good for sports tourism. By organising international sports events, we are not only promoting sports tourism but also working towards in making Sarawak a sports powerhouse,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Liew said the Genting Tennis Malaysia National Circuit Sarawak Open was the seventh and final leg of the national circuit and a last-minute assignment from the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM).
“It is good that Sarawak is selected to host the event as LTAM always look at Sarawak as a professional organiser in term of excellent tennis facilities, good organising skills and providing good hospitality for the participants,” he added.