KUCHING: Sarawak, through the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA), will host six international junior tennis tournaments from April 2025 to October 2025.
Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said these tournaments will bring together tennis players from across the country to Sarawak.
“Next year, we will have six international tournaments, which I can say will focus on international junior categories,” he said.
He was speaking in a press conference at the SLTA compound on Sunday (Nov 17).
The Asia Oceania Pre-Qualification event (Junior Billie Jean King Cup Under 16) will kick off the prestigious junior international matches from March 3 to 8, 2025, followed by the Junior Davis Cup Under 16 from March 10 to 15, 2025.
The World Junior Tennis Championships for both men and women will take place from April 2 to 8, 2025,and April 9 to 16, 2025, respectively.
The 43rd edition of the Sarawak Premier Cup, featuring the ITF Junior World Tennis Championships (J300), will follow from April 22 to 27, 2025.
This will be followed by the 44th edition of the Sarawak Premier Cup, hosting the ITF Junior World Championships (J100) from September 2 to 7, 2025.
The final event will be the 18th edition of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Under 14 Junior Championships, set for October 13 to 18, 2025.
Abdul Karim emphasised that these internationally recognised tournaments are a great honour for Sarawak and serve as a testament to the world-class tennis facilities the state offers.
“This is proof that the ITF believes in the facilities in Sarawak and in the organizers.
“This is important for the security and well-being of young international tennis players,” said Abdul Karim.
He also mentioned that hosting such world-class events provides an excellent platform to discover and nurture local young talent in tennis.
“To unearth talent and bring athletes to international levels requires development from the grassroots.
“That’s why we have such platforms to ensure the continuous development of our athletes,” he added.
Additionally, SLTA President Datuk Patrick Liew believes that the tournaments will bring together hundreds of promising junior players from around the world to compete in Sarawak.
