Head junior tennis slated in Cagayan de Oro

MANILA, Philippines - Future tennis stars take center stage as Smart Sports, in partnership with Chris Sports and Head, unveils the 12th staging of the biggest age-group national tennis tour in the country – the Smart presents Head Junior Tennis Tour Satellite Circuit 2010.

Sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA), the age-group tournament is aimed at discovering future world-class athletes, who will earn ranking points in a two-month tennis tour event.

Chris Sports, a leading sports retail shop, is embarking on a countrywide campaign to help strengthen grassroots sports development. Smart Sports, a staunch backer of several national sporting events, is co-presenter of the event.

Through the Head Junior Tennis Tour Satellite Circuit presented by Smart, Chris Sports hopes to provide a venue for future world-class athletes.

It is open every summer to give aspiring young tennis players a worthy summer vacation through this one-of-a-kind elite project that has been running since 1999.

The event will be open in different age categories – 10-year-and under (unisex), 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under boys and girls.

The first stop gets going today in Cagayan de Oro where young netters will vie for a spot in the prestigious Junior Masters to be held at the end of the year. 

Former Bureau of Immigration head Rufus Rodriguez will usher the opening of the tournament, which will also be held in different key cities throughout the country.

After the Cagayan de Oro leg, the event will be held in different key areas:

Zamboanga City (April 5-7), Digos City (April 10 -12), Davao City (April 15-17), Lapu-Lapu City (April 20-23), Cebu City (April 24-27), Panglao, Bohol City (April 29 - May 2), Dumaguete City (May 4-6), Bacolod City ( May 8-10), Iloilo City ( May 12-15), Baguio City ( May 18- 21) and Metro Manila (May 24 -30).

Inquiries: Fatima at (02) 925-1578 and (02) 925-2391 or text SMART-Head space, full name, space, and send to 09087432405, or www.chrissports.net.

 “Through these tournaments we help mold the values and attitudes of kids and the youth all over the country by getting fit and involved in the sport of tennis. Our real partners are the parents, guardians, PE teachers, tennis instructors, who altogether helped us in encouraging these players become better at their game through continuous training,” said Arleen Lindo, Chris Sports marketing manager.

One among the many discoveries of this junior tennis circuit include reigning junior tennis player Francis Casey Alcantara, who rose to prominence when he won in a doubles championship in one of the world’s tennis Grand Slam - the French Open.

The organizers recognized the importance of regional sports events which transforms arenas into big social gatherings. The magnitude of support of locals and the local government in the provinces are immense since they consider events like these as a representation of their locality, which shows the Filipino’s regionalistic fervor.

“The aim of the organizers and supporters of the event is to provide the venue for the youth to earn points and to showcase their talents. PHILTA accredits these tournaments. Secondly, we want to motivate the players, the parents of the players and the tennis tournament officials and coaches to join and support the cause, hence, we are offering attractive and worthwhile prizes and incentives,” said HEAD Managing Director Liza Tang.

Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio for his part is enthusiastic about the tourney because it fulfills the vision of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Smart Communications Chairman Manny V Pangilinan to promote sports as a driving force for the country’s economic progress.

Chris Sports’ presence is felt all over the country with 27 branches including Glorietta 3, SM Megamall, Festival Mall, SM North Edsa, Cebu, Marikina and the recently opened The Annex (SM North Edsa) branch. As one of the foremost sports shops, it has become synonymous with the attribute “high-quality sports equipment.”