KTRS, Syn Hua Kindergarten continue cooperation
SANDAKAN: Kelab Tenis Remaja Sandakan (KTRS) yesterday held the official launching of its 7th year of cooperation with Syn Hua Kindergarten to introduce basic tennis lessons to kindergarten kids.
Present at the launching ceremony were Syn Hua Kindergarten headmistress Chia Fui San, KTRS president Taren Sunil Manoharan, secretary Jocelyn Lee along with the coaches and teachers.
Also invited to witness the launch were several committee members of Sandakan Municipal Council’s Highway & Public Utilities Committee, namely Bryan Chang, Emily Chong and Chia Chee Onn.
The twice-a-week lessons actually began earlier in the year, conducted by coaches from the Manoharan Junior Tennis Academy (MJTA), the coaching unit of KTRS.
“What started as a “test run” to introduce six-year old kids to tennis has turned into a successful programme that has become very popular with the kids. In fact, after the initial year, the Syn Hua Kindergarten management decided to include the programme into their regular school curriculum,” said Taren Sunil.
The KTRS president attributed the success of the programme to the wonderful cooperation that Syn Hua Kindergarten has been extending to KTRS ever since the pilot project started over six years ago.
“The role of the School Board, management, headmistress as well as the teachers involved was vital in making the project such a success,” said Taren Sunil.
He expressed his confidence that the free basic lessons for the kids would instil in them a love for the game, and thus help popularise and promote tennis among the younger generation in Sandakan.
In addition to their “Taking Tennis To Schools” programme, KTRS also organises more advanced lessons for older age-group players, many of whom are now ranked among the state’s elite junior players.