TFC seal two tennis Futures events

Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun
Workmen carry out construction of the new players’ facility adjacent to the TFC National Training Centre.

via Khmer NZ

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 15:00 H S Manjunath

THE Tennis Federation of Cambodia will host two back-to-back men’s Asian Circuit Futures tournaments from January 15-31 next year and will pass on the last leg of the three-event package to Vietnam.

Confirming the dates and Vietnam Tennis Federation’s “huge interest” in staging one of the events, TFC Secretary General Tep Rithivit said international events of this magnitude would open new horizons for the Kingdom’s tennis. “These Futures will really shape our own in the best possible way,” he said.

Financial and logistical constraints had forced the TFC to pass on one of the events to their neighbours, and the VTF was more than willing to step in with the Secretary General Lin Nguyen officially accepting the offer on Monday.

“We are looking for sponsors for these US$10,000 events, though the prize fund would be defrayed by ITF’s Grand Slam Fund project,” said the TFC official. “For us the work has already begun.”

Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun
TFC General Secretary Tep Rithivit (left) and CCC President Van Sou Ieng check out the progress on the new players’ lounge.

As part of the second phase of infrastructure additions to the newly built National Training Centre, the TFC took up construction of a players’ facility adjacent to the courts nearly three weeks ago.

“Work on this players’ changing room and working space for officials has been going on briskly, and this would also be a big help for us during the Futures, though we need a lot more for those international events. This is where we are banking on support from the Country Club of Cambodia,” said Tep Rithivit after an inspection of the new construction site with CCC President Van Sou Ieng Monday.

“The ITF criteria for Futures events call upon the host Federation to provide a fully fledged players’ lounge, an officiating room, and accommodation for officials, besides buffet food and fruits for players all the time during the events. I am glad to say that some of these requirements will be met by the CCC.”

Reacting to the new developments and the promise of international competitions, Van Sou Ieng said it was a “proud privilege” for his club to help with the hosting.

“The TFC is more than welcome to house some of the officials and even players in the new 18-room hotel that is coming up in our complex. We hope the hotel will be operational by this November,” he said.

Tep Rithivit expressed his enthusiasm for the tournaments, saying: “It is a wonderful two weeks ahead of us. This is the best possible international exposure our players can ever get.”