Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud
(Chief Minister of Sarawak)

S.B.S., D.K. (JOHOR), D.K. (PAHANG), D.P., P.S.M., S.P.D.K., S.U.M.W., S.S.D.K., S.S.A.P., D.G.S.M., D.P.P.N., S.S.S.A., S.P.M.T., KT. W.E. (THAILAND), KEPN (INDONESIA), S.P.M.B.(BRUNEI), K.O.U. (KOREA), AO(AUSTRALIA), P.C.D.

On behalf of the State Government, welcome to all you visitors from outside Sarawak. We are glad of your presence here with us. For all foreign visitors, thank you for your participation in this ITF World Junior (Grade 1) event.

Since the inauguration of this event in 2001, it has attracted a huge pool of world junior tennis players year after year from over 30 countries to come to Sarawak and the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA), under the able leadership of its President, Mr Patrick Liew, should be commended for the excellent job done in helping to promote Sarawak to the international tennis fraternity.

Initially, it began with a humble Grade 5 event before moving up to Grade 3 and Sarawak is now honoured to host a higher Grade 1 event, one of four legs in Asia ie. Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Japan.

Another feather for the SLTA cap is playing host to the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Asian Under-14 Championship in 2007, an event sponsored by the Australian Open, Asia Pacific’s only Grand Slam event.

I was informed that top 12 world ranked junior players will be here to showcase their semi professional skill and these players will soon become world class professional players.

For all those who have worked so hard behind the scene under the SLTA banner, the officials, volunteers, referees and many others, thank you for your help to promote Sarawak as a sports tourist destination.

SLTA was also given the honour to host the Junior Davis Cup, Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Pre-Qualifying and ITF World Team Competitions 2008 just two weeks ago. Now you all can witness another world class event in Kuching, Sarawak.

Lastly, all the best to all of you and have an enjoyable stay in Sarawak, Malaysia.

[PEHIN SRI HAJI ABDUL TAIB MAHMUD]
Chief Minister of Sarawak