Minister launches KTRS' weekend tennis for children
KOTA KINABALU: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon was on hand to officially launch a new project organized by Kelab Tenis Remaja Sandakan (KTRS) - the “Free Weekend Tennis Coacing for kids” held at the Sandakan Sports Complex tennis courts yesterday morning.
Around 50 young kindergarten and primary school kids were present at this opening session conducted by coaches from the Manoharan Junior Tennis Academy (MJTA) which is a coaching unit of Kelab Tenis Remaja Sandakan.
In his speech, Frankie congratulated KTRS for taking the initiative to organize the project targeting young kids.
He also praised KTRS for providing the lessons free of charge for students every Saturday and Sunday, pointing out that it is not common for anyone to get free regular lessons, especially those conducted by experienced coaches.
The Minister also said that he was very happy to see the presence of so many kids and their parents at the event.
He urged the parents to sacrifice their time and effort to encourage their children to pick up the game of tennis and added that it was a sacrifice that parents had to make if they wanted to see their kids excel at the game.
“Parental support is what makes the crucial difference for their children to become good sportsmen and potential champions,” stressed the Minister.
He also noted that KTRS had already produced many young champions such as the current SAGA Games men's singles champion Harish John Manoharan.
Harish, who is only 16 years old, is the reigning champion in the men's category.
He is also the Under-16 singles and doubles champion at the KK leg of the national level Tennis Malaysia Junior Tour, beating top national players from other states to emerge champion in the two events.
Frankie also stated that Sabah had produced many good sportsmen and sportswomen who had represented Malaysia in different sports and games, including in the game of tennis.
He added that his Ministry would always consider giving support in different ways to various programmes and activities organized by sports bodies.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, strongly encourages participation in sports and games to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among our citizens. Games such as tennis helps keep our citizens fit and healthy. Participation in any sports or game is also very effective in promoting social interaction and unity in our society comprising different races and cultures,” he added.
The Minister concluded by urging KTRS to keep up its good work and to help unearth and nurture new talents to develop into champions of the future.
Meanwhile, KTRS president Taren Sunil thanked the Minister for gracing and launching the programme.
He said that the new project was to introduce the game of tennis to more kids.
“We have been giving free basic tennis lessons at Syn Hua and Pui Gin over the last seven years and we now want to open up opportunities to students from other schools,” said Taren Sunil.
Parents who need more information or want their kids to learn tennis may contact our KTRS secretary Jocelyn Lee at 019-8812373 or email to jocelyn_lee@yahoo.com.
Taren Sunil also revealed that he took the opportunity to discuss with the Minister the pending formation of the Sandakan District Soft Tennis Association and was very encouraged by the sound advice received from Frankie.