SLTA ready to host first int’l tourney in March
The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) is all set to host the ITF World Junior Team Competition U14 AsiaOceania Final Qualifying from Mar 16-31.
“SLTA is always ready to host any international competition and our facilities are always intact and in good condition. Our team (organsing committee and tournament officials) is always ready to organise and run any competition.
“Most of the countries are unable to host this event because of the fasting month and we are probably one of the very few countries willing to take up the challenge,” Liew told reporters when met at the SLTAKDLTA Chinese New Year Open House at SLTA Tennis Centre on Saturday night. Both events will be contested by 16 teams.
“Basically, 14 teams have confirmed for the final qualifying while two other teams are fighting for their tickets to Kuching at the ongoing prequalifying competitions in Sri Lanka. Each team will be fielding three players and one coach so we are expecting more than 150 players, coaches and parents of players for the two weeks of the final qualifying competition,” Liew added.
Liew said SLTA is also getting a grant of US$51,000 from ITF to run both competitions.
To another question, Liew revealed that nine boys and nine girls have been shortlisted for the Sukma XXI Long List squad and they will be undergoing 10day decentralised training with the assistance of former Sukma gold medalist Mohd Aiman Hamdan.
“By end of May, we should have the final list of six boys and six girls to shoulder the challenge.
“We are hoping to maintain our performance of one gold and one silver that we won at the last Sukma XX. This will be a tough challenge as our senior players are over-aged and we are fielding the second-tier players,” he added.
Among the activities lined up for the open house were lion dance performance, fireworks display and barbecue. Those present included Datin Diana Tay, SLTA vice-president Douglas Telajan, secretary Bernard Chin and treasurer Kho Siak Koi and other committee members.