Tennis – many players, few courts
19 December 2008
tennis on action
Tennis enthusiasts are being pushed out of tennis courts in Thimphu, as the courts are booked throughout holidays and after office hours, according to some disgruntled players.
They say Changlimethang has just three tennis courts that are always occupied. Karma Yoezer, a corporate employee, said that he had spent a lot of time in college playing tennis.
“Although I am interested in tennis I don’t get a chance to play now because the court is occupied most of the time.” He said that the courts were not free even in winter as they were used for coaching courses then.
“My friends are interested but they don’t get to play so they land up bar hopping after office hours.”
From December 13 till 21, the Changlimethang tennis court is hosting the Open Tennis Championship, sponsored by Karma Group.
“We hold matches from 6 am till 10 pm so the court is totally packed at present,” said Kinley Wangchuk, assistant coach in the Tennis Federation.
About 70 players, including eight women, are participating in the tournament.
Kinley Wanghuk said that the federation had about 200 members, a third of which were women.
Bhutanese members pay yearly fees of Nu 1,000 each while 15 foreign members pay US$ 100 each.
The federation organises two to three tournaments every year in a bid to encourage more participants.
“Students don’t have to pay membership fees or entry fees for getting involved in tournaments,” said Kinley Wangchuk.
He pointed that the police, army and Royal Institute of Management had tennis courts that were not open to the public.
Thirteen-year-old Shushila, a class VIII student in Jigmi Namgyel Lower Secondary School, said that she started playing tennis in 2004. She played in a tournament that very year and won a tennis racket.
“I have joined every tournament possible since 2004,” she said. “This time I lost in the second round even though I practiced after school.”
On holidays and after office hours she doesn’t get a chance to play since the court is occupied by senior members.
“We have to use the limited time between the end of school and the end of office hour for practicing,” she said. “I participated for the first time in the tournament and I lost in the second match,” said Lakden Dorji, 14, who is in class IX.
He said that he came for practice after the mid-term vacation, “I will join the winter coaching camp for which I have to pay about Nu 50 to Nu 100 otherwise I won’t get the chance to play in the court.”
By Sonam Rinchen
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Loading ...Zakar for Friday July 30 2010
20th Day of the 06th Month - Iron Male Tiger Year
Auspicious for: Carrying out daily chores and making offerings.
Inauspicious for: Starting construction of new house, sowing seeds, planting flowers, entering the new house, shifting houses, calling upon superiors, starting business, doing charity works in the name of deceased, taking out dead bodies, paying grain debts, undertaking long journey and holding discussion.
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one can’t be everybody but can be somebody, some one away from drugs, crimes, abuses etc. Some healty citizen that our nation aspire. One way is sports.
I am overwhelmed by our girls in thailand, it was notable performance to win 3 of 5 matches participating for first time. Thumbs up to all! But participation counts most. We need to expose our youth, give them ample oppurtunities.
We need more sports competitions for our youngsters. We need somebody very good to proudly represt our country in regional competitions, olympics. Though it may sound long story but it is possible. We have lots of aspiring youths with talents. They should be encouraged,parents too should realise their potential.
There should be strong plateform that we should create. it is high time to go along with rest of the world and time. Give oppurtunities, grasp oppertunities and be somebody.