ITF grant for Malta Tennis Federation

The Malta Tennis Federation has recently received a $2,000 grant from the Grand Slam Development Fund, administered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in aid of aspiring young players competing in junior tournaments.

The Fund was established in 1985 following a donation received from The Championships at Wimbledon. The aim was to assist with the development of competitive opportunities for young players worldwide.

Further contributions from the French, US and Australian Open, together with the continued support from Wimbledon, have since created the Grand Slam Development Fund.

The inaugural 1990 Grand Slam Cup, now the Tennis Masters Cup, has provided the Fund with $2 million each year up to 1998 and $1.5 million since 1999.

Thanks to the Fund, the ITF has been able to substantially increase the number of participating nations whose players compete in the mainstream of international tennis.

In addition to supporting the formation of new events, travel grant contributions, similar to the one received by the MTF, have also been awarded regularly.

Development efforts also include an extensive programme of educational projects and services geared towards grassroots level.

Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF head, said: "We are delighted to be able to direct these funds specifically towards the development of competitive tennis and deeply appreciate that the Grand Slam tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup are in a position to support this important project."

Meanwhile, international junior competitions will again feature prominently in Malta this year.

MTF president Peter Zammit confirmed that in July the federation will be holding the eighth ITF junior world ranking tournament at Marsa SC.

The following month there will be the third successive Tennis Europe U-14 tournament at Tennis Club Kordin and in September an international U-16 competition at Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club.

This month, Maltese youngsters are also figuring in the ITF/Tennis Europe U-14 Championships in Luxembourg.