All the winners of the season-opening National Junior Tennis Tournament held a couple of months ago will be back to defend their treasures in the second of six planned competitions for the year, beginning at the National Training Center tomorrow.

This junior circuit is being organised by Tennis Cambodia in partnership with Ezecom and Hagar Catering.

The draw for the three-day event, spread over six age groups for boys and girls, is likely to be much bigger than the previous tournament, since many students who missed out because of exams then will be back to compete this time.

All eyes will be on Hour Srey Pov, who is seeking her sixth Girls U12 singles title in a row. Also defending their titles are Leng Sarinreach (Boys U12), Sen Sophon (Boys U14), Chheang Vannasak (Boys U18), Ho Sreynuch (Girls U14) and Cheng Channeang (Girls U18).

Meanwhile, Tennis Cambodia’s novel scheme to put up visitors from other provinces in camping-style tents around the NTC has proved extremely popular with the players.

Encouraged by this response, the federation has now increased the number of tents from four to 10 for players from both the Kep Tennis Academy and the coastal town’s ASPECA orphanage.

“Usually kids from ASPECA in Kep stay at the one in Phnom Penh but we thought it would be a good idea to have all kids from Kep stay together,” Tennis Cambodia head of junior development Mam Phalkun told the Post.