The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The BRAC Bank Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) Programme, organized by Bangladesh Tennis Federation (BTF), begins in the city Sunday at Nilkhet Primary School.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) development officer of the Asia Zone Suresh Menon inaugurated the competition as chief guest this morning.

BTF general secretary Mohammad Sanaul Haque and other high officials of the Federation and sponsors BRAC Bank were present on the occasion.

Menon, who earlier arrived here Saturday midnight, also conducted a training camp later in the afternoon where 25 JTI programme coaches from across the country took part. The final session of the camp will be held on Monday morning.

The objective of the programme is to introduce tennis among the kids at school level.

Some 12,000 students (8-10 years) from 120 schools across the country will undergo this programme at following places: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Nawgaon and Bogra. Madaripur has also recently been included in the programme.

Federation joint secretary AKMA Quddus Bulu will supervise the programme while former BKSP player Rashedul Haque Rumi will coordinate the field training proceedings.

Over the next one year, the coaches will go to 120 selected schools in phases and will train the school students with the assistance of respective school sports teacher.

To run the programme successfully, BTF will also arrange 10 local level and 2 national level tournaments over the year.

Out of the estimated budget of Tk. 10,00,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) will provide US$ 5,000 apart from providing sporting kits worth US$ 3,000.

Programme sponsors BRAC Bank has provided Tk 5 lakh as the title sponsor of the programme.