Swishing closer to the top

Sports

By Martin Tiffany

THE writing is on the wall or perhaps that should read on the court - Nukualofa is establishing itself as the tennis capital of the South Pacific VViih ihe swish of everv serve Hnrinir , h 0l^ vei 7 serve during the BP Tonga Easter Tennis Carnival the country oroved it will be a force to be reckonedwUh in Pacific tennis - not only in terms of quality players but as a centre for competition.

The carnival from April 17 to 24 was held for the second lime this year at the outdoor cement courts at *Atele Stadium.

At the inaugural tournament last year Fiji, Western Samoa and the hosts participated. This year Brisbane and Wellington were included in the compe tition.

Although the Aussies and the Kiwi’s featured in every final (with Brisbane winning them all), the organisers of the carnival brought the two sides over to

strengthen competition and develop Tongan and Pacific tennis. The Welling ton and Brisbane Payers were not just “nyone but top players, ranked in the top M al home ' , Also brought in to improve compe tition were Tongan players' living in New Zealand. They represented Tonga. ,s fhefonga Lawn fennis Association (1 E 1 A), organisers ol the carnival, have realised thauhere are no short-cuts, they have to work and spend money to develop the sport. With the backing of BP Oil (Tonga) and the Tongan govern ment they were able to offer IS7OOO in total prizemoney - TS2OOO apiece for the individual mens and women s winners for the Tonga Open which was part of tne Urnival ; They flew m competitors and paid for their accommodation and meals as well

as organising professional public rela

tions anc * media coverage.

The aim is to turn the Easter Carnival into a major event on the Pacific tennis

calendar and attract more and more countries and competitors each year. The plan include phasing out the financial support of the Tongan Government wbll< -‘ Guiding up other sponsorship.

Alone with dcve'ommr the carnival the „ I ™° A n g developing the carnival the TLI A is also developing playcis.

Tonga’s number one men’s player, Mo » !iki Kailahi 18: and ‘ kjf, .. . . , , Koloamatang. 19 the number two have, a r Jj a NT * nc ! e , roni coac un s n J M J I anc * cw Zealand and arc soon to leave for Australia lor more training, 'rJii S exposure and experience showed when the defeated Fiji 3-0 in an upset j n t j lc (eam cve nt and lost to Brisbane (the eventual winners) in a tough match, The duo ended up third in the team cycnt bddnd Brisbane and Wellington, TLTA president Fuka Kitekei’aho explained they had learnt from this year’s carnival, have taken notes and promised next year would be better.

TONGAN IMPORTS: Huni Fakalata (above) and Stanley Tautalanoa (right) and were two of the young Tongan tennis players brought in from New Zealand to help strengthen competition at the BP Tonga Easter Tennis Carnival.