KUCHING: Four tennis tournaments will be held in the next one and a half month as international tournaments make a return to Kuching turf.
Youth Development, Sports and Entrepreneurship Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) would be organising the ITF World Tennis Tour Women W15 from Feb 28 to March 5.
He added that after the ITF World Tennis Tour Women, three other tournaments would take place here with teams around the world competing.
“SLTA Sarawak will also have three other events in one month.
“It has altogether 22 tournaments in one year. I will be introducing four, which will be held within the next one and a half month,” he said.
“I would like to commend SLTA which has been very competent and committed.
“We are the only state that has been organising tournaments,” he said.
Abdul Karim was speaking at a press conference to announce the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour at Bangunan Baitulmakmur II on Monday.
Sixty-five players will be competing in the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour W15, with Japan sending the most number of players at 16, followed by China with 14 players.
Malaysia will be sending three players to the inaugural six-day tournament.
Twenty-one nations will be competing in the tournament which commences on Feb 28. Among them are Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Korean, Madagascar, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taipei, Ukraine and United States.
Abdul Karim added that the participation of many countries would be a huge boost to Sarawak’s tourism.
He said players and coaches along with their families could enjoy the local food and scenic tourist spots.
Present at the press conference were SLTA president, Datuk Patrick Liew, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu and permanent secretary to the Ministry for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Morshidi Fredrick.
