Smart Jr tennis on at South Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines - Koronadal City will host the first leg of 13th year of the Smart presents Head Age-Group National Tennis Tour 2011 Junior Satellite Circuit beginning tomorrow at Triniville Tennis Club.

More than 100 players are expected to join the first of the 13-leg junior circuit in the 13th staging of the event supported by Smart Sports in partnership with HEAD and Chris Sports, a leading sports retail store nationwide.

Koronadal City, one of the best places in the south where tennis is so popular among the youth, also expects other young tennis players from other places all over the country to participate to earn ranking points in the 70-day tennis tour event. No less than Mayor Peter Miguel, MD, will be there as the tourney opens in his city.

“We want to continue to inspire and support these dedicated junior athletes, as they are truly an inspiration to many other children who have yet to commit to a sport that they enjoy and excel in. School and sports are complementary,” said Arleen Lindo, Chris Sports marketing head, who revealed that San Pablo City in the province of Laguna and Olongapo Citywill be hosting a leg each for the first time in the circuit this year.

The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), which has sanctioned the age-group event throughout the years, supports the Smart presents HEAD Junior Tennis Tour Satellite Circuit for helping the tennis grassroots programs nationwide.

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

Besides Koronadal, Smart presents HEAD age-group junior satellite circuit will go to Davao City on April 1 to 4, Cagayan De Oro City on April 6 to 8, Cebu City on April 11 to 13, Iloilo City on April 16 to 18, Bacolod City on April 19 to 21 Dumaguete City on April 23 to 25, Zamboanga City on April 27-29,Dapitan City, Dakak on May 1 to 5, Baguio City on May 16 to 19, Olongapo City on May 21 to 24, San Pablo City on May 26 to 28 and the Metro Manila leg on May 30 to June 5.

“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. 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.

The junior tennis circuit is supported by Smart Sports through its head Patrick Gregorio. Other sponsors in the MVP group of companies include.Meralco and Maynilad. Together, all these sponsors have paved the way in helping discover rising tennis stars like Jeson Patrombon and Marinel Rudas who are now competing in international competitions.

HEAD, a leading tennis brand worldwide and in the Philippines, is available all in Chris Sports’ 30 branches nationwide including Glorietta 3, SM Megamall, Festival Mall, SM North Edsa, Ayala Cebu, and the recently opened Boracay D Mall.

For the tournament, interested participants may call Fatima at tel. nos. (02) 925-1578 and (02) 925-2391 or text SMART-Head space, full name, space, and send to 09087432405.