Tennis tournament attracts 302 doctors

Medical doctors lead a hectic lifestyle and it's no surprise that they find it hard to combine their profession with their love for sport on a regular basis.

For 302 medical doctors from around 22 countries, the next eight days will give them the opportunity to practise their profession and their favourite sport when they attend the annual congress of the World Medical Tennis Society (WMTS) at the Hilton Conference Centre and concurrently take part in an international tennis tournament.

Angelo Psaila, president of the Malta Medical Tennis Society, told a news conference that some of the world's top medical doctors will be in Malta over the coming days to take part in the 36th congress of the WMTS, starting on Sunday. The congress will focus on sport and preventive medicine.

"Medicine will not be the only item on their agenda during their stay in Malta," Profs Psaila emphasised. "All participants will have the opportunity to play their favourite sport when they compete in this prestigious tennis tournament."

Japan boasts the biggest contingent with 38 medical doctors registered to take part, closely followed by Sweden with 35 and the US on 33. Malta's group is composed of 14 doctors.

Michael Abele, general manger of Mondial Holidays who have been entrusted with the overall organisation of the congress, then gave details about the tournament. There will be singles and doubles events for both men and women plus a mixed doubles competition. Participants will be also divided into age groups (ranging from 45 to 80 years).

"With so many categories being contested, we have come up with a playing schedule of 600 matches over one week," Abele explained.

"Such a packed programme meant that we had to make use of three tennis venues in Malta, namely the Marsa Sports Club, the Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club and the Tennis Club Kordin."

Also present for yesterday's news conference at the Marsa SC was Jim Manion, the WMTS Executive Secretary, who praised the work put in by the organising team.

"I have been to all the 36 congresses held by our society and having seen the hard work put in by the organisers, I have no doubt that the Malta meeting will be a huge success," Manion said.

Bertie Muscat, representing the Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport (KMS), said that the KMS were glad to be supporting such a prestigious event and promised the council's full backing during the week-long event.