ITF coaches confab slated at Subic

MANILA, Philippines - TENNIS COACHES from 20 nations, including host Philippines, will learn and interact with world-class speakers in the sport in the 15th International Tennis Federation regional coaches conference on Nov. 2 to 6 at the Venezia Hotel inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Zambales.

Topics such as the importance of doubles in the modern game, preventing and minimizing injuries, tennis drills for high performance, difference between training male and female players, agility and general quickness, will be discussed by ITF representatives and coaches from tennis superpowers like Spain, Switzerland, Australia, United States and India.

“Like players, coaches are also constantly evolving; they need better technique,” said event organizer Ajay Pathak, the Filipino- Indian businessman whose exceptional 25-year involvement in local tennis earned him a citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association during its Awards Night last March.

“Our coaches don’t go abroad more often because few Filipino netters campaign abroad. This conference is a golden opportunity for Pinoy coaches to acquire modern knowledge needed in present-day tennis.”

Pathak, sole Asian member of the ITF junior committee and director of junior development of the Asian Tennis Federation, said the ITF congress will also open doors for Filipino players to gain entry to European events.

“Some of the speakers are based in Europe. They have the power and connection to invite our players to play abroad,” said Pathak.

ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti lauded the country’s effort to host the event, which he describes as a “gathering of the world’s leading tennis coaches and sports scientists presenting the most up-to-date information related to coaching both high-level and recrea-tional tennis players.”

The organizing committee is headed by Salvador “Buddy” Andrada, a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission and former chief of the Philippine Tennis Association, with current Philta president Lito Villanueva as vice chair. Former Davis Cup player Martin Misa helped Pathak organize the event.

Speakers include Swiss Benedikt Linder, Miguel Crespo, Travis Atkinson, Ranil Harshana, Suresh Menon, Boris Krumm, Frank Couraud, Brenden Sharp, Panchon Alvarino and Paul Sindhunatha.

Pathak said the ATF, headed by Anil Khanna of India, will also hold its board of directors meeting on Nov. 1.