BY LAKESH KUMAR & GABRIEL LIHAN
KUCHING: Sarawak is set to welcome 18 nations for the 2025 Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying ITF World Junior Tennis U14 Boys and Girls tournament, taking place from March 31 to April 15 at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) Centre.
Top tennis nations, including Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, will compete in the prestigious event, which serves as a platform for rising tennis stars.
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted the tournament’s significance in shaping young athletes’ careers.
“Many Grand Slam champions have started their careers through tournaments like this. It is a showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship,” he said at a press conference on March 28.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has provided a USD 51,200 (RM230,000) grant to support the hosting of the event.
Abdul Karim noted that the tournament is expected to boost Sarawak’s tourism and hospitality sectors, as families and supporters will explore local attractions.
“The hospitality and tourism industries will benefit. Visitors will take pictures, share them, and bring more attention to Sarawak,” he said, emphasising the event’s role in promoting sports tourism.
The tournament will feature live streaming and live scoring, further enhancing Sarawak’s image as a premier sports tourism destination.
Abdul Karim also encouraged local tennis fans to attend and support the young athletes, stressing that their encouragement is vital in nurturing the next generation of tennis stars.
Following the successful Davis Cup Junior (U16) tournament last month, Sarawak continues to strengthen its position as a top host for international tennis events.
SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew was also present at the press conference.
Participating teams includes the following:
Boys’ Teams: Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, Indonesia.
Girls’ Teams: Malaysia, Nepal, Chinese Taipei, China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, India, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia.
