KUCHING: The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) aims to promote tennis in Sarawak and put the state on the world map through prestigious international tournaments.
SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew said the association is ready to take on challenges, including hosting the 2025 Asia/Oceania Pre-Qualifying Davis Cup Junior tournament during Ramadan.
“Considering that no other country is willing to organise the tournament, we decided to take up the challenge.
“The next major tournament will be in the first week of April, during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“So it actually takes a lot of commitment for us to organise such a prestigious tournament, but we are more than willing to do so,” he told a press conference after the tournament’s officiation ceremony at SLTA Tennis Centre here today (Mar 10).
He said such tournaments not only enhance Sarawak’s sporting reputation but also contribute to the state’s economy.
“Based on my rough calculations, this 16-day tournament alone generates at least RM1 million.
“If you have three or four of these events a year, it definitely contributes to economic growth and I’m more than happy to contribute,” he stated.
Liew noted that many of the participating teams, including those from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait, are visiting for the first time as these countries have begun making significant investments in tennis.
“As a result, they are participating in events like this for the first time, largely due to promotions on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) website.
“It has become a must-attend event for countries looking to develop their tennis players,” he said.
