The ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J-30 Dhaka began with a grand opening ceremony featuring cultural performances at the National Tennis Complex in Ramna on Saturday.
The Dhaka phase of the junior level competition began a day after the conclusion of Rajshahi phase, with Zarif Abrar becoming the first Bangladeshi player to clinch a title of the competition by winning the boys鈥� singles event final.
Ministry of youth and sports secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam inaugurated the Dhaka phase as the chief guest followed by the trophy unveiling ceremony of the tournament featuring 12 countries from across the world.
鈥楾his tournament will encourage young players and contribute to the growth of tennis. The ministry of youth and sports will provide all necessary support for the development of tennis in Bangladesh,鈥� said Alam.
The Bangladesh Tennis Federation vice-president Ashrafuzzaman Khan Puton, general secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Curren, ad-hoc Committee member Begum Hosne Ara Rina, tournament director Shafiqul Islam Sarker Sohel were also present during the occasion.
In the boys鈥� division, 25 players are competing in the qualifiers, with 10 set to join the 22 players, who are already in the main draw.
The Girls鈥� main draw will feature a total of 27 players.
Masfia Afrin, a Bangladeshi ITTF White Badge (Level-2) referee, has been serving as the tournament referee for the competition.
Players from Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, the UK, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, the Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, host Bangladesh are participating in the event.
The 35th edition of the competition, which is sponsored by the Suzuki Motorbikes, Bank Asia, and Dana Petroleum Ltd, began with the two-day-long qualifying rounds before the main draw which begins on Monday.
