Junior participants with their medals and goodies (left) and showing their prowess at the tennis tournament in Petaling Jaya. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star
Tennis may not be widely played in Malaysia but there are long-term programmes and events aimed at developing youth talents.
Among them is the 34th MBPJ-Milo Junior Open Tennis Tournament hosted by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Selangor Tennis Association (STA).
This event is a cornerstone of MBPJ’s youth tennis development programme that was established in 1990 with the aim of discovering and nurturing young tennis talents.
Claudia (left) wants to be a national tennis player while batrisya says she had fun at the event.
Participants contested in singles and doubles for boys and girls in Under-16, Under-14, Under-12, Under-10 and Under-8 categories at Kompleks Sukan Kelana Jaya.
The closing ceremony saw winners awarded with medals and Milo products.
Present were Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Aznan Hassan, Milo Malaysia assistant sports marketing manager Sheena Dina Rizal and STA vice-president and tournament chairman Tengku Datuk Mohamed Tengku Harun.
Tengku Mohamed (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Aznan while Sheena looks on at the MBPJ-Milo Junior Open Tennis Tournament.
Aznan said he was proud of the participants and hoped they could become national athletes in the future.
The players also expressed dedication to the sport.
“I am aiming for the nationals,” said Under-14 (girls) player and medallist Claudia Tan, 13.
Batrisya Elvina, 13, who also took home medals, said although she was nervous, she had fun.
Under-14 (boys) player Muhd Afiq Affendi said, “After this, I’m going to enter the Under-14 Asean games.”
Junior participants with their medals and goodies (left) and showing their prowess at the tennis tournament in Petaling Jaya. — Photos:ART CHEN/The Star
Parent Stephanie Foo said the tournament was a good opportunity to instil the concept of unity among children.
In a statement, MBPJ said the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) recognised the event as a national junior ranking tournament where every player who participated was eligible to receive points towards their ranking.
