Courts shortage impedes Kapit tennis devt

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KAPIT: The shortage of tennis courts is the biggest stumbling block to the development of the sport here.

“There is only one in the whole district for over 30 very active players. In fact, there isn’t a single day that the court at Maksak Clubhouse isn’t occupied,” 7th Division Lawn Tennis Association (7DLTA) president Badi Nuawi said yesterday.

However, he is optimistic Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, the Youth and Sports Ministry and the government departments concerned will help to overcome the problem.

Despite the acute shortage of courts, Badi assured players from Kapit will continue to take part in the annual Inter-Division and Sarawak Closed Tennis Championships.

“This is our commitment. In fact, these are the two tournaments where the affiliated associations will get the chance to expose their budding talents,” he said.

This year was not exception as 7DLTA would send a team for the championships in Kuching from 24 t0 29, he added.

He also pointed out that while the association was committed to promoting the sport in the division, the onus was on the local players to join the activities, organised by the association.

In this respect, he was happy to note response to the association’s activities had always been encouraging.

“For instance, the recent junior tennis development programme, sponsored by the Kapit Youth and Sports office, drew more than 100 students.”

Meanwhile, at a meeting with the players on Tuesday night, Badi told them to show not only fighting spirit but also sporting spirit during the championships in Kuching. He thanked Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi for consenting to sponsor the expenses of the team.

Former Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Larry Sng had earlier chipped in RM2,000. Kapit Youth and Sports Department office and Kapitan Micky Ngu Kong Siong are sponsoring the team jersey.