SHAH ALAM: Azlan Abdullah may be a former national junior player but the director of Mycron Steel Berhad has not picked up a tennis racquet for the past seven years.

However, this has not deterred Azlan, also the chief operating officer of Mycron, from signing up for the CEO-Celebrity Charity Tennis 2008 at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 14.

He hopes that participating in the charity event would help him love the sport again.

Like other aspiring players in the 1970s, he got his first taste of tennis on clay when he used to train at the Pasar Road Tennis Centre.

The experience on clay helped the former St John's Institution student attain success on court.
Azlan was a former Selangor junior champion, both in singles and doubles, between 1974 and 1976 before he decided to pursue his studies in the United States.

"I still remember the old days when I used to play doubles with former national No 1 S. Selvaraju for Selangor.

"I also represented the country in several regional tournaments," said Azlan when met at the Mycron Steel office here yesterday.

Azlan, now 50, also represented his university in Texas and conducted coaching lessons for extra cash until his graduation in 1983.

"I still played tennis upon returning but gave it up for golf.

"I remember thinking of playing tennis two years ago, but despite purchasing a tennis racquet and shoes, I decided to forgo the idea."

The charity event is being held in conjunction with the ECM Libra Foundation and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia Junior Tennis Team Championship 2008 on Dec 13-20.

The junior tournament is funded by ECM Libra Foundation, while AirAsia and Tune Hotels are among the main sponsors.

The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd and Media Prima are the official media partners.

"I'm hoping to start practising for the charity event. I heard that many former state and national level players have signed up for the tournament.

"I did have a light workout last weekend for 40 minutes but it was nothing to shout about.

"I need to get serious starting this week," said Azlan.

The celebrity event will be played on a one-set format, where a player will rotate with different partners and compete in six rounds.

The individual with the highest accumulated points will be declared the winner, with prizes also for players who finish second and third.

The event is to raise funds for the NSTP Charity Fund.