Touchwood Investments supports Sri Lankan Tennis Association's Mini-Tennis Programme

Touchwood Investments Ltd. has come forward with a sponsorship package of Rs. 1 million to develop the ongoing all island Mini Tennis programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA).   Mini Tennis is a programme that is currently conducted in ten regions in Sri Lanka, namely Negombo, Batticaloa, Matale, Kurunegala, Bandarawela, Ratnapura, Kandy, Jaffna, Badulla and Colombo, where talented players are identified from an age group comprising from 6 years to 8 years. The main objective of the programme is to involve children in the basic techniques of tennis and to introduce a grounding in the sport from an early age. The programme involves an element of 'fun', thus enabling the child to engage in the sport with a positive attitude. The fun aspect is brought into the game with the aid of softer balls, lighter and smaller rackets and a smaller court for them to play on as opposed to the regular courts. Approximately 2,000 children between the ages of 6 to 8 years have been enrolled in this programme from the above mentioned regions. Commenting on the Mini Tennis programme, President of the SLTA, Mr. Janaka Bogollagama said: "A regional coordinator is appointed to each region where they are responsible in liaising with the Principals of schools in their areas. "It is thereafter that nominated teachers are trained to carry out the programme in their schools. Furthermore to create competition and excitement for the sport, tournaments are held at school level, at inter-school level, at regional level, at district level and finally an all island tournament. Apart from these tournaments, coaching camps are also held quarterly to facilitate the training process for both the teacher and child in keeping in line with our policy of taking the game to the out stations". The CEO of Touchwood Investments, Mr. Asitha Koralage explained the context of the sponsorship deal from his company's point of view: "We have come forward as a sponsor mainly to help identify talented players at a young age and as a company who strives to create a healthy and a 'green' future for our younger generation. "This is not the first in our efforts to extend a hand to sports in the country", he continued, "but it is a first for us in terms of tennis. As the Mini Tennis programme itself is nurturing new talent, Touchwood would be associated with this programme for many years to come. We are determined to discover the Jayasuriyas and Susanthikas of tennis, so that Sri Lanka will be ready to go international and make a Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova". E&OE