Tennis in dilemma in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Tennis is being promoted at school and district levels.

"At state level we also have tournaments both by Education Ministry and state tennis association. Sabah Tennis also organizes inter district competition every year by the inter affiliates tournament for juniors in a special separate tournament apart from the joint ladies, veterans and men's categories.

"The education department also organises the inter schools, inter district (MSSD) and inter state (MSSM) at national level. At these levels the competition is held annually," said Sabah Tennis Association (STA) president Johnson Koh.

"Then we used to have inter state level with 'Chua Choon Leong' trophy. LTAM later changed the name to 'Tan Sri Jamil Rais' trophy and included the ladies under 'Puan Sri Norhimah' trophy. These went on for several years.

"LTAM then changed the name to LTAM trophies for both events." he said.

Under one previous president this inter state dropped dead until now, according to him.

Johnson said he fought for this inter state to be revived with many reasons and tussles.

That year Sabah and Melaka were given the task to prepare a working paper for the then LTAM exco to decide, he said.

That had never seen the light until now, he claimed.

"State to state relationship in tennis promotion and friendship slides downwards without that tournament.

STA especially Johnson still is fighting for the revival of that inter-state tournament.

"Back to inter state Sukan Malaysia. For tennis, these two years once the tournament is a nightmare. The host state have the power and option to include tennis or not.

"This again is a disruption of tennis promotion among players below 21 years ols especially junior tennis between Form Three to university level.

"How do Malaysia want to excel in tennis when the sport is an Olympic sport but not competed in our own backward of inter state Sukan Malaysia?" he asked.

"The other reasons are funding and education policy. Funding - every tournament needs money. Every player sent for training and competition needs money.

"But money is not easy to source. Education policy - every parent wants the kids to excel in tennis and examinations - SRP , SPM, Diploma & degree.

"No diploma or degree means blurred career and future, except for those who excel in professional tour, WTA and ATP. How many can achieve it?" he asked.

"That's the reason why after the juniors level all is in abeyance. Have to persue degree, career and livelihood. Who can change it?

"Government in power," opined the STA chief.