(From left) Tengku Mohamed, Lim, Aznan, Muhammad Fauzi, MBPJ Development Department deputy secretary Ismail Shafie and deputy management secretary Mohd Fauzi Maarop.
MBPJ event returns for 33rd year, attracts international players
AROUND 200 local and international players are set to compete in MBPJ-Milo Junior Open Tennis Tournament 2023 to be held from Dec 14 to 18.
The 33rd edition of the annual tournament is jointly organised by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Selangor Tennis Association (STA).
Delegations from Johor, Melaka, Sarawak, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Japan will clash at Kelana Jaya Sports Complex in Petaling Jaya during the five-day meet.
They will contest in three events – singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles.
Each event will host players from five age groups – Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under 16.
During a press conference at MBPJ’s headquarters, Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Aznan Hassan said the city council wanted to discover new tennis talent together with STA through the tournament.
“We hope the Selangor delegation can come through with good results.
“It will be an essential part of our preparations for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma).
“Having organised the tournament for 33 years, MBPJ is now able to attract more athletes to participate.
“We currently have 180 registered players, and we would like to have more,” Aznan said.
The players will also have a chance to boost their Lawn Tennis Association Malaysia rankings, as the national tennis governing body recognises the tournament as a national-level event.
Speaking at the press conference, STA vice-president Tengku Datuk Mohamed Tengku Harun said, “The national association’s recognition is crucial to attracting more participation to the tournament.”
Also present were Milo sports marketing manager Lim Kerwin and F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd Regional Event Sponsorship manager Muhammad Fauzi Ahmad.
The event is sponsored by Milo, under Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, and F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd.