Four Tawau players win five medals in Sandakan
TAWAU: Four players from the Tawau Teenage Tennis Club (KTRT) won five medals at the Sandakan leg of Sabah Tennis Juniors tournament held at the Sandakan Tennis Club recently.
Elisha Chong Ee Lei won in the under-12 girls singles while Hailey Chong Ee Wen received a silver in the under10 girls singles.
Elisha also won a bronze in the under-12 girls doubles while Hailey took a gold in the under-10 girls doubles.
For the under-10 boys doubles category, Charlton Chan Khong and Gareth Chong won a silver medal.
KTRT was officially launched in Tawau to promote and develop tennis at the district level. The aim is to produce tennis athletes to compete in competitions at the district, state or international level.
Its president, T.S. Karunagaren, said tennis is a beautiful game that could improve self-discipline and knowledge, aside from promoting standard skills and sports values among players of various races and religions.
He said while the players might be enemies in the tennis court, but outside the court they are friends and have fun chatting together.
However, he stressed that the club needs support from the government and players’ parents so they can move up to the highest level in producing more tennis athletes to compete at all levels, including at the Sukma and SEA Games.
The KTRT is a tennis club registered in collaboration with the district and state Sports and Youth Office. It was officially opened on March 14, 2017 but launching of its activities only started in July due to the lack of a professional coach.
The club aims to organize tennis-related sports activities among its members besides promoting and developing tennis at the district level.
Club activities include tennis clinics, group lessons and individual lessons.
The club coach is Reynald Pioquinto from the Philippines who is a certified tennis instructor with vast tennis knowledge, skills and experience having coached in many countries.
KTRT membership is open to those from aged five to 18 years. For further inquiries, please contact Dr Pauline Vairappan at 0198537616.