Tennis chief Bogollagama happy with development of game

By Leslie FERNANDO

TENNIS: Tennis will hit the top in a couple of years as there is a good future for the games in Sri Lanka. The standard of our junior players is very high, said Janaka Bogollagama, President of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA). The President spelt out the tennis programme and the 2009 year plan in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Tennis chief Janaka, the brother of the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, said he was indeed happy with 2008 performance of our players and the development programme of the SLTA.

The SLTA has drawn up a wide programme to raise the standard of coaching, playing and umpiring upto 2010. It is a long-term plan for the development and upliftment of the game of tennis. "Our players had the great opportunity of participating in two international tournaments this year - Davis Cup qualifying round matches in Tehran, Iran and ITF qualifying round tournament in three age categories under-14, under-16 and under-18 at the SLTA courts, Colombo.

Jithnee Jayawickrema of Bishop's College and Muttiah Amritha of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya two of the most promising players, has now received international ranking level status amongst the junior players. Jayawickrema and Amritha were the two outstanding players. The other junior players have also shown a lot of promise.

The standard of our junior players has come up to the level of India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Central Asian countries. SLTA will provide all facilities to the junior players. ""I have decided to send them to play in India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand. All four countries have opened the doors for our players to gain more international exposure. The countries named have been very supportive in this important issue," added Janaka. In fact Asian Tennis Federation with the blessings of the ITF, the junior players visit to these countries have been confirmed.

Encouraging sign

It is very encouraging to note that Sri Lanka's number one player Harshana Godamanna is now playing competitive tennis at international level. He is a tennis professional in Thailand.

One hundred percent professionalism is essential for tennis players to come up to required international standard. Earlier, we played as amateurs. Most foreign players are professionals. Take for one instance our neighbours India. The authorities in India offer four to five lakhs of rupees to a winner in a tournament. So, SLTA will also soon introduce professionalism. We will tap top establishments and corporate bodies for financial support, Janaka said.

The aim is to have good and potential players representing the country. But it is sad to state once top players obtain 'A' level results, they go across to the United States or to Australia to better their prospects and they are 'lost' to tennis. My suggestion is to offer higher incentives to top tennis players so that they will stay in the game, said Bogollagama.

Next year will be important as the South Asian Games will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sri Lanka Tennis Association will field men's and women's teams and will go flat out to carry away major honours. At present Chrysantha Perera, national coach and number of other high level coaches are handling the players. Early next year, the SLTA will form two pools in preparation for the South Asian Games.

P.S. Kumara, a former Thomian and national tennis player, who, with his vast experience is assisting the SLTA as an advisor and consultant to raise the standard of tennis. Yet another top player Aasiri Iddamalgoda is also extending his utmost support for the greater promotion of the game.

The SLTA will continue to hold more tournaments next year. Last year 12 national and club tournaments were held in Colombo, Bandarawela, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale, Ratnapura, Negombo, Galle, Kurunegala. In addition, the Mini Tennis Tournament, a popular one for under-10 was held successfully. This Mini Tennis Tournament, will be taken to outstations as well for the promotion of tennis in the country.

Popular wheel-chair Tennis Tournaments will be continued and players will also compete at PARA Olympics tennis event.

Standard improves

School tennis standard is improving. The SLTA will conduct more tournaments, get involved in the school section and play more matches with India, Instead of sending one or two players for training to foreign countries was what the tennis chief had to say.

He said that the Sri Lanka Tennis Association is blessed with 6 new all weather courts worth eighteen million rupees and these courts should help in promotion of the game in a big way.

The SLTA is also in association with Asian Tennis Federation and ITF and they will organise coaching clinics and seminars for coaches and umpires. The coaches and umpires will also get the opportunity to follow advanced training abroad with the support of National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

The tennis chief commended the Sri Lanka Government for identifying tennis and badminton and allocating funds in the 2009 budget estimate. It is very encouraging for the players and the administrators. Furthermore, Gamini Lokuge, Sports Minister has pledged his full support for tennis. Financial assistance will be provided by the Sports Ministry to take tennis to areas the game is not been played.

Janaka Bogollagama, who has brought about a tremendous turn around to Sri Lanka's tennis since assuming the hot seat as President of Sri Lanka Tennis Association, two years ago said that there was encouraging sponsorship support from National Development Bank, Dimo's AGRIKKO, SAGAT and Touch Wood and is hopeful that they will continue to sponsor tennis in the future.