15countries along with Malaysia will compete in the ITF World Junior Tennis Competition(14U)Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying Event(Boys) in Kuching from 30 April to 6 May, 2012. The team left for Kuching last Saturday.

The other countries taking part, are: Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, Syria, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

The top four teams will qualify for the world finals in the Czech Republic in August 2012.

Malaysiawill be represented by Koay Hao Sheng, Talhah Rahizam and Khairil Anas Abd Rahim with Noorlan Zakaria as thenon playing captain.

This is the toughest competition for our boys this year as all the best 14U players from the Asia/Oceania region gather in Kuching.

The participating countries are divided into four groups. The best two countries from each group will play in the final group to decide 1^st to 8^th placing. The rest will play for positions 9 to 16.

Malaysia is drawn into Group D where they are scheduled to play Australia (fourth seeds), Philippines (sixth seeds) and Hong Kong.

With their good showings in the Vietnam ITF Asian Development Championships Division 2 followed by the same tournament in Division 1, in Manila, the players have shown grit, determination and camaraderie, they have what it takes now to compete against the best in the world. In them we trust.

Please be informed that the Level 2 Officiating School in Hannover, Germany, that was supposed to be held 12-15 July 2012 has now been changed to Friday 13 July 2012 – Monday 16 July 2012. Please note that this school will start on Friday and end on Monday. 

Please find attached the revised memo and the application forms. Applications must be submitted no later than 13 May 2012.

Level 2 Officiating Schools are intended for officials with proven ability and experience of working at professional level tournaments (i.e. ITF Pro Circuit tournaments or higher).

Please note that this school is intended for candidates who wish to apply as a Chair Umpire only. ITF Officiating will be announcing a Level 2 School for Referees later in the year so we recommend that you check our Schools Calendar onwww.itftennis.com/officiating regularly.

In the absence of Koay Hao Sheng and Yussazlin Nabila Yusri both from Perlis,  due to injuries this second leg of the Sportexcel, from 13 – 17 April, 2012, held at the Kompleks Tenis Tun Razak, Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur saw a new Champion in both the boys and girls event.

Without Koay Hao Sheng, the number 1 seed in the Boy’ Singles, went to Talhah Rahizam and the number 2 seed to Mohd Khairil Anas Rahim. Both are from Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil under the tutelage of Taisto Sinkonnen. True to form, both met in the finals. Khairil who fell to Talhah on many occasions, proved he has learnt his lessons well and this time around, managed to upstaged Talhah, in three sets, 36, 61 62. This tournament more or less is a warm up for both players in preparations for their trip to Kuching for the World Junior Tennis Championships at the end of this month. In the semi finals, Khairil defeated Sheikh Ameer, 64, 63 whilst Talhah defeated Muhd Saiful Azry, 64, 60.

In Tier 2 of the boys singles finals, Adam Syafiq from Perlis beat Lee Huang Yee of Pulau Pinang, 60, 61.

Talhah Rahizam made amends in the boys doubles by capturing the boys doubles title partnering Saiful Azry to outclass Danial Ahmad Farid and Muhd Khairil Anas 64, 63.

In Tier 2, Boys Doubles, Lee Huang Yi who partnered Brian Lee, both from Pulau Pinang emerged the winner defeating Shafiee Jalil and Wan Mohamad Fakrul, 61, 63.

Meanwhile in the girls singles semi finals,  Loo Shi Pei from Pulau Pinang upset the number 1 seed, Nurin Nabilah Roslan of Kuala Lumpur, 62, 62 to reach the finals. Iranian, Tara Afzalira who beat Aida Hereena Hairy Anuar from Perlis 76(1), 63 found her match in the finals against Loo Shi Pei, a tough nut to crack before loosing to the Pulau Pinang lass  60, 61.

In Tier 2, girls singles, Siti Norarfah Mohd Azli from Terengganu made her presence felt by being champion in that category defeating Haarini Balakrishnan of Selangor, 60, 61.

In the Girls Doubles, Nurin Nabila unable to win the singles crown partnered Suhana Sofea from Selangor made short work of Samantha Jane and Tara Afzalirad, 61, 63.

In  the Girls Doubles Tier 2, the Wan sisters of Elsa and Elysia took the title on a walkover, over Aina Yasmin and Miza Izzati.

As a whole, the tournament saw a tremendous support where in the boy’s category  82 participated and for the girls, 32 took part. This indicates the popularity of the sport in the country and with more young players taking up the sport we shall see some ‘stars’ for the future in this sportexcel series. The involvement and support of parents who came from all over the country with their families watching their siblings, either boys or girls play at the Tennis Centre, was refreshing and encouraging.

The next leg of the Sportexcel will be held next month, from 25 to 29 May, 2012.

For full results, please see attachment.

The ATF held its Board of Director's meeting at Hotel Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok on the 25th February 2012. The President welcomed the members to the meeting. He on behalf of the BOD congratulated H.E. Suwat Liptapanlop for his unanimous re-election as the president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand. Mr. Khanna briefed the members on his visit to Tennis Europe office at Basel. He refered to the constant development of tennis in Asia in the past number of years. H.E. Suwat Liptapanlop briefed the members about his 1st meeting at the ITF BOD. Mr. Khanna further added that with the developing Asian economies in the world, and with current leadership at the Board, which is keen to give a big push to tennis,we can make a concerted effort to take tennis to a higher level in the world. With this in view the following important decisions were taken at the meeting:-

1. Asian Championship to be revived in 2012 after an interval of 4 years. Lawn Tennis Association of  Thailand LTAT commits to bear all costs.

2. Creation of Asian U/18 Team Championship to be hosted by India.

3. Asian U/14 Series to be strengthened and expanded. Qatar to host the championship. Provision of opportunities to the winners for intensive training at the ATC and a month's tour in Europe. Asian U/14 Cup (team Championship. Started in 2012 to continue in Doha.

4. US $ 50 K p.a. to be utilised from KTF Grant of$ 200K for development of tennis in Asia.

5. ATF Financial and Development Office to shift from Hong Kong to Bangkok. LTAT will provide free facilities.

6. Mr Anil Khanna to provide new facilities for Presidential Office (1000 Sq. ft.) at NCR Delhi.

7. Establishing a Junior Development Office at Almaty in Kazakhstan, KTF will bear all costs of staff and office space.

8. ATF to discuss utilisation of ITF’s Asian Development Budget with Dave Miley, ITF ED for Development at Delhi during May/June 2012.

9. Details of ITF’s annual administrative grant of US $90 K to be provided to ITF. For other expenses audited accounts will be sent to ITF. 

10. Increase in Annual subscriptions approved for the first time in last two decades. No increase for 10 Asian Nations holding ITF class ‘C Shares. Rates will become operative after approval of the ITF. 

11. Following Resolutions to be taken up at the 2012 ITF AGM:-

      a.    Asian representation at the Davis and fed Cup Committees. 

      b.    Pakistan’s case for compensation for denial to hold home Davis Cup ties.

      c.      Recommendations to ITF for increase in Class ‘B’ Shares for Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan from 5¬7; for                        Qatar from 3 to 5; For Iran from 3¬5. 

12.  The BOD decide to hold the next AGM at Manila on 21 - 22 Septmeber 2012. The other meetings during the year will be held on the following dates:-

a)  May 2012.                     BOD Meet in Almaty , Dates, TBC

b)  21 Sep 2012                BOD Meet in Manila.

13. Mr Akhouri Bishwadeep a tennis administrator has been inducted part time to look after the opperational aspects of junior and professional development in Asia.