Tennis Malaysia to focus on bigger base of juniors

PETALING JAYA: Tennis Malaysia (TM) hope to get their calendar running from March with more focus on the juniors.

Newly appointed TM honorary secretary Datuk Sayed Alfeizal said the national training programme has been suspended since the movement control order (MCO) came into effect on Jan 13.

“The national players have stopped training because of the MCO and we are just waiting for the new directive from the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Security Council (MKN) before deciding on the next move.

“If we are given the go-ahead once sports activities can resume, we will abide by the SOP requirements.

“We hope to get the calendar running from March if it is possible by then.

“The focus will be on bringing up the juniors to have a bigger base.

“Our plan is to hold six events for the national junior circuit and four for the senior circuit.

“There are also future plans to hold junior international tournaments but this depends on whether we can secure sponsors.

“As it is, 2020 was not a financially good year as many sponsors were unable to continue (because of the Covid-19 situation), ” he said.

Coach education is also a priority for the new TM committee.

TM have been awarded a Bronze level certification by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for their coach education system and it will be in effect until end of 2024.

“We hope to eventually improve to get Silver and Gold level certification.

“It is important to have a good coach education system as this will also help to improve the coaching and training standards in the country.”

TM’s president is Datuk Mirzan Mahathir and he is assisted by three vice-presidents – Datuk Sallahuddin Kamal, Datuk Patrick C.J. Liew and Johnson Koh.