KTRS continues free tennis lessons for kids
SANDCAKAN: The good rapport between Kelab Tenis Remaja Sandakan (KTRS) and two Sandakan kindergartens here to introduce tennis to 6-year-old kindergarten kids continues into its fifth year.
“KTRS is very happy to see so many young kids happily opting to try their hand at tennis,” said KTRS president Taren Sunil Manoharan who was present at the official 2017 launching of the programme at Syn Hua Kindergarten here yesterday.
“In fact the 2017 free tennis clinics had started in February but we all decided to have the official launching today (yesterday) at both Syn Hua and Pui Gin Kindergartens,” added Taren.
Taren reiterated that the programme’s success was due very much to the strong support and full cooperation from the management, staff and teachers of the two kindergartens.
He recalled that initial lessons were first held informally at Syn Hua in 2012 for half a year. Then, encouraged by the keen interest shown by the kids, the task was officially taken over by the Manoharan Junior Tennis Academy (MJTA). Later, following the incorporation of MJTA as the coaching unit of Kelab Tennis Remaja Sandakan, the programme came under the wings of the latter and was expanded to Pui Gin Kindergarten in 2014.
“Although I have to stress that these are very basic lessons aimed to introduce tennis to kids, our coaches have been very meticulous in preparing lessons to help the kids have fun and at the same time improve themselves.
“Despite the expenditure, KTRS has no intention of introducing any fees as our objective is ‘Taking Tennis To Schools’,” promised Taren.
However, he added, that parents who want their kids to take up the game more seriously and regularly can register for paid lessons that are held at the Sandakan Sports Complex by KTRS.
At the two separate official launching functions at the respective kindergartens yesterday, Taren, accompanied by secretary Jocelyn Lee and two coaches, presented a certificate of appreciation to Syn Hua headmistress Sim Yit Choo. This was followed by the function at Pui Gin Kindergarten where KTRS patron Manoharan Ramasamy, also accompanied by the secretary and coaches, handed over a similar token of thanks to Pui Gin headmistress Yapp Chun Lan.
“We are confident that the strong bonds between KTRS and both kindergartens will continue to grow and bring benefit to young kids eager to learn tennis at these two very well established kindergartens,” said Taren.
Meanwhile KTRS continues to play their role in promoting tennis by conducting free basic lessons for teenagers such as the boys at St. Mary’s Hostel in Sandakan.
KTRS also encourages parents to send their kids for age-group tournaments all over Sabah and even further afield. The club helps parents in getting their kids registered for tournaments as well as provide any necessary assistance to arrange and organise such trips.
“I am very confident that the game of tennis will achieve greater popularity in the near future and we hope to be part of that,” predicted the KTRS president.