By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Feb 20: Sarawak is set to host the third leg of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women World Tennis Tour W15 in Kuching from Feb 28 to March 5.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the tournament involves professional tennis players from 21 countries, namely Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taipei, Ukraine, and the United States of America.
“They will be competing for a prize money of USD15,000,” he told a press conference at Baitulmakmur Building 2 today.
Abdul Karim added this is the second time Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) has organised the event, the last time being 15 years ago.
The first leg will be held in Ipoh (Perak), followed by Kuala Lumpur for the second leg.
On the same note, Abdul Karim disclosed SLTA would also be organising three other tournaments — the 38th Premier Sarawak Cup, which is known as ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J300 J1 (March 14-19); followed by ITF World Tennis Junior Team Competition U14 (girls)-Final Qualifying (March 20-26); and later the ITF World Tennis Junior Team Competition U14 (Boys)-Final Qualifying (March 27-April 2).
Meanwhile, SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew said the main reason for organising various tournaments in Sarawak, besides promoting tennis, is to encourage youngsters to take up the sport.
He also said apart from that; it is also a preparation for Malaysia Games (Sukma). — DayakDaily
