Sri Lanka Tennis in search of outstation talent
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The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) is going the miles in search of the next big talent in the sport, only this time they have managed to reach the outskirts of the island with a new initiative.
SLTA has been running an outstation training programme for the past two decades, reaching the mass community to bring out the best players to the national stage, from across the island. As a development to that, this new drive is the brainchild of Head of Development at SLTA, Barathi Chris Pillai, with the fullest support from its President Iqbal Bin Issac and Secretary General Pradeep Goonasekara.
SLTA has generally invested in many outstation programmes over the years. These programmes are designed around 12 main regions including Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Kandy, Negombo, Bandarawela, Matale etc. while Trinco and Badulla are next to be tapped in the programme.
Players from 12 regions gathered at the SLTA on January 25 to take part in a training camp and player analysis programme over two days with one of the Regional Development Officials, Hari Prashanth spearheading the camp. Athauda Prasanna and Tharaka Fernando are his associates in conducting this two-day camp.
The 12 regional coordinators are initially in charge of enrolling young kids in the 10 and under and 12 and under age groups, later picking out the best to send through to these targeted coaching camps. From 76 shortlisted players, 20 of the best players will then be selected to train in the outstation national pool, who will go through dedicated training and fitness camps in both their regions and the SLTA throughout the year.
Head of Development at the SLTA, Barathi Chris Pillai had this to say on the initiative.
“The purpose of the project is to identify the top players in the country and to guide them and support them to be a part of the Sri Lanka National teams of Under-12, 14 and 16. The goal is to get these players representing the country in the junior level to begin with. Many great players have emerged from these outstation programmes in the past including national champions Dineshkanthan Thangarajah, Anjalika Kurera and Nishangan Nadarajah so this is a great way to widen our search for the cream of tennis in Sri Lanka.”
The President of the SLTA, Iqbal Bin Issac is fully backing this initiative, providing all necessary facilities needed to run a successful campaign.
“This outstation initiative is a very important and crucial step in developing tennis in Sri Lanka. No matter where they come from, what background they come from and what other obstacles these players might have, it is our duty to go in search of the best talent in and around Sri Lanka, and this programme is just the way forward in doing that,” opined the President.