MANILA, Philippines - The Head 2014 Junior Satellite Circuit national tennis annual age-group tournament, on its 16th year of discovering young potentials nationwide, kicks off today in Davao City.
Liza Tang-Yuquico, managing director of Head Philippines, is expecting more than a hundred boys and girls in every leg of the satellite circuit sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta).
“On our 16th year, we proudly continue our mission to make our national junior tennis circuit the springboard for up-and-coming young talented players,†said Tang-Yuquico. “This is a great opportunity for the kids to develop their talents.â€
The 70-day tennis competition, backed by Head, the leading worldwide tennis brand, and Chris Sports, the nationwide sports retail chain, will run from March 31 to June 7 across different key cities in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.
“We want to motivate the players, the parents of the players and the tennis tournament officials and coaches to join and support our event. We are also offering attractive and worthwhile prizes and incentives to the young breed of sportsmen,†said Tang-Yuquico.
Head Tennis has produced big names from the junior tennis program like Raphael Teng, Marcen Angelo Gonzales, Jerome Romualdez, Maria Dominique Ong and Blanche Lagrisiola.
“This junior tennis satellite circuit has served as an opportunity for players from different regions to earn Philta ranking points,†said Chris Sports marketing manager Arleen Lindo.
“We will fully support these young athletes to inspire also the other children who have yet to commit to a sport which they enjoy and excel in. School and sports are complementary. Our junior tennis players know this as this is their lifestyle,†said Lindo.
The event is supported by Chris Sports, Head Graphene, Toalson and Head, the official tennis ball.
Mindanao holds its first leg in Davao City in March 31-April 4, followed by second leg in General Santos April 6-10 and ends in Cagayan De Oro City April 12-16 before moving up to the Visayas leg.
Visayas leg begins in Iloilo April 21-24, followed by the Bacolod City leg April 26-30, Dumaguete May 2-6 and Consolacion Cebu May 8-12.
Baguio City, first stop of the Luzon leg will be held May 14-18, followed by Olongapo May 20-24, San Pablo City leg May 26-30 and Manila in June.
The singles and doubles events will be played in different age categories – 10-years-and-under (unisex) and boys and girls 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under.