SHAH ALAM: More than 90 junior tennis players from 15 countries will compete in PREC Selangor 1st Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14 and Under Series Tournament next month.
The seven-day event starting this Sept 4 will see the players from Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Britain, Indonesia, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, among others, competing at the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) Sports Complex in Kelana Jaya.
It is organised by Selangor Tennis Association (STA), with PKNS Real Estate as the title sponsor, and Yonex distributor Sunrise Sports Sdn Bhd, and MBPJ as co-sponsors.
STA vice-president Tengku Dato' Mohamad Tengku Haron said this would be the first time Selangor is hosting the international event, which was endorsed by the Malaysia Lawn Tennis Association (LTAM).
"As of today, a total of 96 players from 15 countries have confirmed their participation in the tournament. Each of them will be competing and will be eligible for points which would be recognised in LTAM ranking.
"We are also proud to announce that our own Elsa Wan, who holds the number six spot in the Asian junior tennis ranking, and top five Malaysian players, will be participating in the event.
"STA would like to thank LTAM for this opportunity to host the tournament, which is the first time for Selangor," he said during a press conference here earlier today.
The tournament would see tennis players aged between 10 and 14 competing in four categories: Men's Single, Men's Double, Women's Single and Women's Double.
Meanwhile, PREC chief executive officer Fakru Radzi Ab Ghani said they decided to be the event's main sponsor after being briefed on its importance to sports development in the country, particularly for junior tennis players.
He said the list of players from Asia as well as other parts of the world, is truly significant.
"It is an honour for PREC to be given the opportunity to be the title sponsor for this tournament, and we would like to thank the organiser for this," he said.
Fakru Radzi said the company, as a state-owned business, also believes that hosting the international event would be good for Selangor tourism.
Tournament director Mohamad Rahizam Abdul Rahim said the tournament in Malaysia would benefits young and aspiring Malaysian tennis players, who would get the chance to participate and collect ranking points in the international event.
It is learnt that the event would also be using the Yonex tennis ball for the first time in an international tennis tournament of such stature.