Biggest entry for ITF U-14 tournament at TCK
Genovese invited to pursue her career in the US
For the third consecutive year, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has entrusted the Malta Tennis Federation (MTF) with the organisation of the ITF tournament for U-14 players. The event will be held between August 24 and 31 at the Tennis Club Kordin (TCK).
MTF president Peter Zammit, speaking during a news briefing at TCK, said that this year, the MTF, in line with its youth policy plan, has decided to organise more international tournaments to give its youngsters more opportunity of competing against foreign opposition.
"Hosting such tournaments is not an easy task for our federation but we believe that these events provide the ideal launchpad for our youngsters in their bid to improve their game," Zammit said.
"When we first organised this tournament, some three years ago, there were only four players who applied to take part. Since then, the federation has doubled its efforts to increase its popularity, culminating in the biggest ever entry for this year's tournament."
A total of 33 players, hailing from 11 countries, will take part in this year's event.
The Maltese team is led by promising player Matthew Asciak, winner of a gold medal and a silver medal in the ITF U-14 Small States Championships held last month.
He will be joined by Clive Vella, silver medallist in the same tournament, J.J. Micallef, Clayton Zammit, Alan Calleja, Jean Paul Schembri and Bradley Callus.
In the girls' competition, the MTF will be represented by Elaine Genovese and Kimberly Cassar.
The MTF president also revealed that Genovese's fine performance in an ITF tournament in Germany caught the eye of a coach who has invited her to further her career in the United States.
The tournament at TCK will cover four events namely, boys' and girls' singles and boys' and girls' doubles. There will also be a consolation event for the first round losers.
The director is Benny Vidal, while Oswald Tanti will act as tournament referee.
Dimech set for lucrative Sweden event
Zammit also said that Rosanne Dimech, winner of two silver medals in the 2003 ITF Junior World Ranking Tournament held at Marsa SC last month, will be travelling to Sweden in October to participate in the ITF women's circuit tournament, which has a prize fund of $10,000.