Ritzbury steps up to power SLTA Tennis 10s
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Sponsorship Presentation of ‘All Island Schools Kids Tennis Play Day 2019’ CBL Foods International General Manager- Marketing, Nilupul de Silva (Centre Right), presents the Sponsorship to SLTA's Ganendran Subramaniam (Centre Left), flanked by CBL and SLTA officials
Ritzbury will partner Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) to help develop the future Tennis players of the nation. The Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) programme is a project implemented by both the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and SLTA in 1998. Since then, the programme has produced many skillful Tennis players to the local franchise.
The programme is conducted under the guidance of SLTA via their regional centres islandwide. Currently, the programme is conducted in 10 regions and is expected to expand by 3 more in 2020. The finals of the regional qualifiers commenced on November 1, with the ‘B’ Division matches, while the ‘A’ Division matches commenced on Friday (1) at the SLTA premises.
SLTA President Iqbal Bin Iaasak said, “The event this year will feature 1,800 boys and girls. This tournament which is islandwide, with 10 regions participating, will also be the largest Tennis tournament in the country. We appreciate Ritzbury’s initiative to partner the SLTA, to further enhance the Tennis experience of players and for the support rendered in nurturing the future generation of the sport.”
The event, ‘Cool Tennis Kids Play’ was first held in 2011, with the participation of 400 boys and girls from 60 schools islandwide, divided into 3 categories- Red (7 and Under), Orange (8 and Under) and Green (10 and Under).
CBL Foods International, General Manager- Marketing, Nilupul de Silva speaking about the event said, “We are extremely glad to have partnered with the SLTA, at a moment where the local sports arena is in need of support the most. It is a proud moment for us to help the younger generation to improve their talents and to help discover grassroot talent, to develop Tennis in Sri Lanka. Partnerships with Brands are needed to give sports the extended reach it needs, improve standards and create further opportunities for the budding players.”
Ritzbury has been a part of both field and aquatic sports. The Brand has been empowering Squash, Swimming, Rugby and Athletics, setting the stage for the next generation of stars.