STA yet to get nod on Sukma participation

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tennis Association (STA) along with its affiliates will continue to focus on junior development this year.

STA’s long-term vision is to promote the sport among the very young and for schoolchildren to take up the sport competitively.

For a start this year, its curtain-raiser will be the coming Under-23 Junior Tennis Championship, to be jointly organised by STA and K K Chin Tennis Academy at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex from March 13-15.

The championship was finalised after STA checked out the 2010 calendar of events of its affiliates – the Kota Kinabalu Lawn Tennis Association (KKLTA) and the Sandakan Divisional Tennis Association (SDTA).

STA President Johnson Koh said this Under-23 meet will also feature some budding talents as well, where they hope to unearth as many quality players in their bid to assemble a team for the 13th Sukma.

However, until to date, STA has yet to receive confirmation from the Sabah Sports Council (SSC) on whether tennis would be included as one of the 23 disciplines Sabah will be taking part in.

New Sabah Times Sports learnt that the SSC might consider STA’s request and has yet to make any announcement as it was learnt that SSC might only consider sending a boy’s team.

Koh added that they expect a good turnout for the championship, where attractive prizes sponsored by Amer Sports Malaysia Sdn Bhd are up for grabs.

There will also be a demonstration of the new BLX Wilson tennis rackets which are being used by Roger Federer, who won the recent Australian Open, and enthusiasts are welcome to test them out on March 14-15 at the Centre Court.

This championship will also serve as a warm-up to the Sutera Harbour Resort quarterly Junior Tournament, scheduled from March 18-20 that is also expected to lure many junior players as well.

Those interested including parents who wish to register their children for the meet can contact Eric at 019-8506706 or KK Chin at 019-8807820 or Koh at 019-8338833.

Among the major tournaments on the cards this year are the Veteran Invitational Sabah Clubs Meet in April, Inter-Affiliate Tournament in May, Sabah Closed in June, Sabah Team Tennis Invitational in July, Junior Inter-District/Affiliate, Junior Individual Championship and Selection for ECM Libra Inter-State in November and coaching clinics/friendlies and other junior training camps in December.