In a major restructuring of the domestic junior circuit, Tennis Cambodia has introduced four provincial tournaments in Phnom Penh, Kep, Battambang and Siem Reap to determine the players for the year-ending Masters scheduled for December.

As well as increasing awareness of tennis in those provinces, the new format will enable organising bodies to gain experience in running their own competitions The coastal town of Kep took the lead in rolling out the first of the four events last weekend, with its best known product from ASPECA Orphanage, Sen Sophon, easily winning the boys 16 and under division, beating fellow resident Chen Samphors 6-1, 6-0 in the final.

A nearly two-year absence from the game clearly impacted Chen Samphors’ fighting ability against Sophon, who has grown into a strong player in this age category.In the boys 14 and under division, Chhoem Seiha defeated Rith Toch, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. In the boys 12 and under division final, Sen Saukeng, younger brother of Sen Sophon, defeated Ngong San 6-1, 7-6.

ATF workshop

Tennis Cambodia’s finance executive Ek Bunlekhana attended the recently held Asian Tennis Federation’s Administrator workshop held at the ATF’s Bangkok office.

The main aim of the workshop was to exchange information on how the growth of tennis was supported in various Asian nations over a period of time and how tennis structures could be improved in ATF member countries.

In her presentation, Bunleakhana touched on the history of the Cambodian Federation, growth of the game, tournament structure, player pathway and development, and coach education.

“The workshop was a great experience for me,” she said. “I was also able to learn how other countries run tennis. I learned a lot of new information from the ATF and will use it to help our federation.’’