Tennis-Adam attends AGM in Moscow |26 June 2008

The Russian capital was a fitting venue for the AGM because it was the centenary anniversary of the Russian Tennis Federation. Moreover, Russia is among the world’s leading tennis nations at the moment. Some 155 delegates from 89 member nations attended the meeting.

One of the interesting matters discussed was beach tennis and the need to spread it worldwide. Following considerable research last year into activity and interest levels in beach tennis, the ITF is creating the framework for beach tennis on an international level, working in close cooperation with the regional associations and member nations.

So far, Italy, Spain and Portugal are the most active beach tennis nations. The second European Beach Tennis Championship organised by the ITF will take place in early August in Rimini on the east coast of Italy.

Here is something for Seychelles to look into and introduce, too, because we have been blessed with many fine beaches ideally suited for beach tennis. Even the hotels with a beach location might consider offering beach tennis as a recreational activity to their guests. So, beach tennis could make quite an impact on the local tourism scene.

As usual, the ITF urged all member nations to intensify their youth tennis development programme, particularly at school level, including mini tennis for the under-10 age category. Towards this end, the ITF will continue supplying tennis rackets and balls free of charge to the member nations.

During the meeting, Mr Adam had the chance to discuss further the question of financial help towards the renovation project of the Roche Caïman courts. The ITF is quite willing to help with a grant of up to US $20,000 but there are two conditions to be met: the Seychelles government, through the National Sports Council, should first declare how much money it will contribute and, secondly, there must be a written guarantee from the government whereby the STA will always have access to the courts for a period of 10 years at least. The Roche Caïman tennis complex is owned by the Seychelles government.