Sandakan to form district soft tennis association
SANDAKAN: Sabah Soft Tennis Association (SSTA) has given out soft tennis rackets and balls to Taren Sunil Manoharan to show support for him to form the Sandakan District Soft Tennis Association which will then be affiliated to SSTA.
On hand to give away the items was Association’s patron, Alex Perdua. He was accompanied by president, Richard Shak, honorary secretary, Yenny Yapp, and other SSTA committee members.
Shak stated that other districts can apply to SSTA for sponsorship of rackets and balls and form their respective district soft tennis associations.
He also stated that the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will decide on 26 April 2019 whether or not to send our 3 ladies for the Sea Games in Manila from 2 to 7 December, 2019.
The events lined up for SSTA in their 2019 calendar include the China Cup (10-17 June), Korea Cup (8-14 July), 1st Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championship in Manila (26-31 August), Asian University Soft Tennis Champion in Manila (31 August -4 September) and Sea Games in Manila (2-7 December, 2019).
SSTA players have already started their training at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex, every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The SSTA president also mentioned that KK Chin from Sabah has been appointed as the technical chairman for the 1st Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championship, Asian University Soft Tennis championship and the Sea Games all to be held in Manila.
“This year will be very busy for KK Chin as he will also be arranging the soft tennis road shows for all states in Malaysia with assistance from experienced officials, coaches and players from Korea and Japan,” said Shak.
Meanwhile Taren Sunil expressed his delight that SSTA has given him support to form the Sandakan District Soft Tennis Association.
“I feel honoured that the Sabah Soft Tennis Association has given me their support to form an association to take care of soft tennis in Sandakan District. With a letter of support from SSTA, we shall be submitting our application to the Sabah Sports Commissioner’s Office as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will get the Sandakan District Soft Tennis Association registered soon. It will be another option for those interested to take up sports and games for an active lifestyle,” he added.
Taren Sunil also pointed out that SSTA have sent players for international tournaments previously, including several youngsters from Sandakan who were sent to Korea for 2 tournaments last year.
“With the impending formation of Sandakan DSTA we are confident we can promote the game more effectively and take its popularity to a new level,” he concluded.