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by Pelham Juriansz

The Inaugural Otters Junior Open Novices Tournament which commenced at the Otter Aquatic Club Tennis Courts on August 2 will concluded on 11th August. The Tournament is sponsored by Union Assurance.

Speaking at the Press Conference at the Otters Board Room M. A. Cader, the Tennis Secretary of the Club and the Tournament Director mentioned the fact that being the first time that the Club has organised a Tournament for Juniors it is encouraging that as many as 126 entries were received from the youngsters.

The Secretary of the Tournament veteran tennis player and coach Sriani Gooneratne mentioned that there are so many entries due to the fact that the entry fee is as low as Rs 200 and it encourages young tennis players to enter. "Sometimes the other clubs charge as much as Rs 400-500 as entry fees and for families that have about three kids who are keen on entering it is a big sum of money to pay around Rs 1500 and then be knocked out of a Tournament.

The Tournament which will be held for the under 8, 10, 12 and 14 age groups will stimulate the youngsters to consider entering for the Ranking Tournament held annually. The Otters Tennis section has been running a "Tennis Clinic" for Juniors for the past six months and it was mainly to encourage these children that the Club has decided to hold a Tournament at the request of many Parents, and it is open to non members as well, and a number of foreign students who are here on holiday have entered.

"Such Tournaments were first organised by the late Eric Rajapakse, and the Women's International have been holding such Tournaments but it is the first time that our Club has ventured into a Tournament for kids. We had to have matches only on weekends as the kids are having exams. The younger kids have shown a great interest in playing and six year olds have expressed an interest in joining, which augurs well for the future of Tennis" added Mrs Gooneratne.

There are 9 boys and 3 girls in the Under 8 category and 27 boys and 13 girls in the Under 10, and 27 boys and 13 girls in the Under 12 age group and 19 boys and 25 girls in the Under 14 category.

Many International schools students have entered but the number of entries would have been more had the International schools been in session.

As it is they are having their vacation at the moment and many have gone abroad as a result. There will be trophies for the winners and runners up in each age group.

Ramal Jasinghe, General Manager of Union Assurance, the sponsors of the Tournament was delighted that so many youngsters have shown an interest in the game.

The Chief Guest at the Awards ceremony will be Sarath Wickramanayake, CEO of Union Assurance.

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