Junior tennis gets big boost

MANILA, Philippines - Palawan Pawnshop and Technosports have re-affirmed their support to junior tennis, further boosting the development of the sport that has seen the emergence of young talents from Philta’s year-long, nationwide program.

Tshe Philta-Palawan Pawnshop Regional age-grouper is bracing for the second half of its busy 30-leg schedule two weeks from now with the staging of the fourth Olivarez Cup Open on Aug. 14-21.

“It has been our desire to help boost the sport and at the same time tap new talents who can be developed and trained to become world-class athletes,” said Bobby Castro, COO of Palawan Pawnshop.

The circuit, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and staged in the key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, kicked off in Dumalag, Capiz last January and will culminate in Manila in December.

In Mindanao, Palawan Pawnshop and Technosports opened the various tournaments for free to encourage more young players to participate and at the same time help boost the local host clubs’ junior development program.

“This junior tennis program is designed to instill the benefits of physical fitness and core values that promote tennis and aid in addressing the problem of juvenile delinquency,” said Technosports president Guillermo Nocom.

The country’s leading pawnshop, remittance and claim center, has poured in P3 million while Technosports, distributor or Babolat equipment in the country, has chipped in P1 million in kind to sustain the 30-leg grassroots circuit that also features three Open tournaments.

“The Palawan Pawnshop regional age-group series hopes to serve as a venue for junior players to hone their skills and talents and give opportunities to compete against the best,” said Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Inspired by the success of their 15-stage tour last year, launched to address the need for a national tournament program for junior tennis, the circuit is also designed as a conduit of Philta in developing a positive outlook among the youth.