25 countries to vie for tennis title<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A total of 161 youths from 25 countries around
\nthe world will compete in the 2001 Gas Negara International
\nJunior Championships in Kemayoran Tennis Center from March 4 to
\nMarch 11.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) official in charge
\nof competition and tournaments, Soebronto Laras, told a media
\nbriefing on Wednesday that the participants comprised 105 boys
\nand 56 girls.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesian top girl's player Angelique Wijaya,
\ncurrently 17 in the junior world rankings, and Dea Sumantri,
\nworld No. 50 in ITF junior rankings, will miss the championships
\ndue to overseas stints.<\/p>\n
\"The participants will include boy's player Jonathan Chu from
\nthe United States, who has the highest ITF junior singles rank of
\n74, and Maretha Van Niekerk of South Africa, currently ranking
\n62,\" Soebronto said.<\/p>\n
He said other participants included Indonesia's top boy's
\nplayer Eko Kurniawan and girl's player Sandy Gumulya, and Stephen
\nAmritraj of the United States, who is the son of former renowned
\nIndian player Vijay Amritraj.<\/p>\n
Soebronto said 24 youths had withdrawn from the championships
\ndue to security concerns.<\/p>\n
Director of Perusahaan Gas Negara A. Qoyum Tjandranegara
\nexpressed hope that his company would sponsor the Group III
\nchampionships for as long as possible.<\/p>\n
\"We are focusing on junior championships. We have allocated a
\nbudget until the 2001 championships but we expect that we will
\nstill be able to sponsor the event next year. Beginning 2004, we
\nalso plan to sponsor a Satellite event here,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The junior championships cost about Rp 140 million (US$14,141)
\nto stage, while a Satellite takes Rp 300 million to Rp 350
\nmillion and a Future costs Rp 450 million. (ivy)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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