Otter’s Diamond Jubilee tennis from March 7
RICHARD dwight
The Otter Aquatic Club has in a little over two decades, been in the
forefront of espousing the cause of tennis.
This has mainly been done, through the promotion and fostering of the
sport, by providing the necessary facilities and, the holding of a much
looked forward to annual tennis tournament. This year however the
tournament assumes a measure of importance, in that it is an open
ranking tournament, and is one among other celebrative events arranged,
to mark the 75th anniversary of the club.
The tournament takes place from March 7 to 21 at the club tennis
courts and the supplying of balls for the matches would be the 3rd
generation sports, the agent for ‘head’ branded sports equipment. These
details were made known to media personnel at a briefing held at the
Otters on Friday by the Vice President of Otters, Vinod Lalvani,
associated with him was the President of Otters Sisil de Silva.
Potential
The Director of Third Generation Sports (Pvt) Ltd, Suriya Bibile, was
of the view that there was much talent here in this country for tennis
and that this potential must be developed to achieve standards that are
high. According to the Tournament Director, Priya Dharmaratne, who is
also the tennis secretary of the club - there will be around 23 events
at this Otters Diamond Jubilee. All Island tennis ranking tournament
with all leading tennis players taking part.
The winners and runners-up will receive trophies and certificates
while the winners of the open events apart from the trophies and
certificates will also receive cash awards. Entries close on March 2 at
4 p.m. at the Otters, seeding on March 3 and the draw on the March 4 at
3 p.m. at the Otters.
The events at the tournament are as follows:
Open events: Men’s singles, Men’s doubles, Women’s singles, Women’s
doubles, Mixed doubles.
Junior events: Boys under 8 singles, Boys under 10 singles, Boys
under 12 singles, Boys under 14 singles, Boys under 14 doubles, Boys
under 16 singles, Boys under 16 doubles, Boys under 18 singles, Boys
under 18 doubles, Girls under 8 singles, Girls under 10 singles, Girls
under 12 singles, Girls under 14 singles, Girls under 14 doubles, Girls
under 16 singles, Girls under 16 doubles, Girls under 18 singles, Girls
under 18 doubles.
Head coach
The tournament referee will be Avantha Suranimala Dharmaratne who
also took time to inform the media that the club has opened the Otters
school of tennis, with Ganendran Subramanium as head coach, and stressed
that Subramanium has produced present and past national champions and
Davis Cup players.
He also revealed that elaborate plans are being made to construct an
upto date pavilion with all amenities for tennis.
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