MANILA, Philippines - Cebuana Lhuillier kicks off its 2014 National Age Group tennis series with the opening leg set Jan. 10-13 in Valencia City’s tri-clay courts in Bukidnon with over 100 entries expected to participate.
Young players from nearby Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Tangub, Ozamiz, Koronadal, Isulan and Bukidnon are competing in the inaugural leg, one of the highlights of the city’s charter day celebration.
“Age group tennis has always been a part of our advocacy to support and promote youth development through sports. We see this series as an important program for young aspiring tennis players, who are the future of Philippine tennis,“ said Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, Philta board chairman and long-time Philippine Davis Cup team manager.
The series, now on its eighth year, also aims to provide a venue for provincial players at the grassroots level.
“In 2013, around 2,600 young tennis players mostly in Mindanao and the Visayas participated,“ said event organizer Mario Craiz. “This year, this number will increase as we have added several new legs in the Luzon area.“
Some of last year’s standouts were also given the opportunity to play in the Philippine Columbian Open with Cagayan de Oro native Dave Sebastian Mosqueda teaming up with Jose Nicolas Cano to finish runners-up in the boys’ 18-and-under category. Surigao’s Rupert Ohrelle Tortal and Ashton Villanueva from Ozamiz also finished second in the 10-under unisex.
The nationwide program peaks during the summer months when tournaments are played one after the other. The 29 legs will be spread out to December.
Craiz said deadline for registration in the Valencia City leg is at 5 p.m. today.
Inquiries: Tel. No. 9468280.