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by Bernard Perera

The Hilton Jaic Open Doubles Tennis Gala 2003 for the Daily News/Observer Trophies will be held from May 1-4 at Hilton Jaic Tower Courts (Level 3).

The details were disclosed to the media by Peter Simson, General Manager, Hilton Jaic Tower at a press briefing held at the same venue last Tuesday.

"The tournament is sponsored by Aus-Afrasia Designer Tiles Pvt Ltd and the media sponsor is Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd", said Simson.

He added that last year, the tourney could not be played due to unavoidable circumstances.

This year, the tourney will be held under a new format, he said. He also thanked the sponsors for coming forward to assist them in this venture.

Bernard Perera, a representative from the Tennis Association giving details of the new format said "Earlier we did not have restrictions on ranked players participating here and always they who won all the titles. As a new method we decided to allow ranked players to combine with non-ranked players below Group III who have failed to reach semi-final stage at ranking tourneys".

He also confirmed that this is not a ranking tourney because of the non-availability of courts for ranking tourneys.

It is a necessity to have three courts, as such the organisers have decided to conduct only the doubles for boys and girls under-16, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

With the introduction of the new method non-ranked players are sure to improve heavily as they get the opportunity of playing along with senior partners. Vise versa, the seniors are also able to guide these players to combine effectively with experience, said Perera.

He also said that residents of Hilton Jaic are also eligible to compete in this tourney as this is an open event. The matches which are scheduled to commence in the morning will continue till around 8.30 p.m. The entries for the event close on Monday April 28 at Hilton Jaic Sport Centre.

The draw is scheduled for Tuesday April 29 at the same venue.

It was revealed that around 75 participants are billed to compete at this year's tennis gala 2003.

Mrs. Nelunka Ratnayaka, Director Aus-Afrasia Designer Tiles (Pvt. Ltd., the main sponsor handed over the sponsorship cheque to Peter Simson at the media briefing.

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