CEBU, Philippines - Love in tennis is not pointless after all, for it is on their love for tennis that the CitiGreen Tennis Resort was built.
Yes, one don't need to be in the French Open anymore to feel what it's like to play in the Roland Garros Stadium with Citigreen having a red clay courts under a green architectural structure located at Bayabas Extension in Punta Princesa, this city.
The country's no.1 tennister Johnny Arcilla said that he had not heard off or played any other red clay courts in the Philippines and he looks forward in at CitiGreen. The last time he played on a red clay courts was way back in 2001.
But more to the red clay courts, it's a tennis facility made from dreams and is envisioned to be a catalyst of change as the individuals involved in putting up the facility wants to help less fortunate kids by sending them to school and get a college degree or be a professional tennis player and be a member of the national team.
CitiGreen was supposed to have a synthetic grass for its courts, but after careful deliberation, it was changed to red clay instead.
Making it red separates it from all other courts in the Cebu Province.There are two courts available for use very soon.
The lot where CitiGreen is was supposed to be made as apartment units for rent, but Jade Abangan, a former tennis varsity player from University of San Jose-Recoletos, was able to convince their business partners to transform a former mini "banana plantation area" into a tennis court.
Abangan, the CitiGreen's operations officer admitted that it’s a huge gamble for their part as based on their feasibility studies; it’s not as profitable as it looks.
But money is not the main reason for building this facility but instead it’s the love of the game.
Abangan feels, they had God's blessings on this one, as it has withstood the calamities that came along during its early stages of construction from a 7.2- magnitude earthquake to a super typhoon Yolanda last year.
Along with Abangan is her former doubles partner, Dyan Bohol who is also been involved since then, realizing their love for tennis never died.
Like Abangan, Bohol tried to forget about tennis and focus with work, but found herself like playing or being involved in tennis again especially when CitiGreen came.
Along with Abangan and Bohol are the current top breeds of passionate tennis players including the Siso siblings–Nino, Sallydine and Sally Mae, MacMac Enriquez,RJ Abarquez along with siblings’ Jun and Freza Tabura as part of the coaching staff, ambassadors and coordinators of CitiGreen.
They also hope to host tournaments, but more importantly, their goal is to help less fortunate individuals with great potential in the sport to be trained and get all available options their advancements in tennis.
Although CitiGreen have already hosted a coaching seminar by USPTA-certified coaches, the courts will be put to first test through a clinic starting on April 21 to May 21.
For more inquiries and reservations, one may call 032-5165078, 0915-7744500, 0922-8744570, or e-mail citigreentennis@icloud.com. (FREEMAN)