Famed tennis academy confirm talks to open school here

SINGAPORE - Earlier this month, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Teo Ser Luck revealed in Parliament plans for a tennis academy, as well as a tennis facility in Kallang capable of hosting top-tier international tournaments.

The move was part of the MCYS and the Singapore Sports Council's (SCC) initiative to promote sports in the country under the Sports Facilities Master Plan.

In a MediaCorp exclusive two weeks ago, sources revealed that the world-acclaimed Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy were in talks to set up a school here.

ANDY MURRAY - FORMER TRAINEE

Responding to queries, the academy's founder, Emilio Sanchez, a former world No 7 and two-time French Open men's doubles winner (1988 and 1990), told MediaCorp: "At the moment, we (have been) waiting very long and don't have yet (any) confirmation from the SSC about the advances regarding the site."

The academy is likely to be ready when the 35-hectare Sports Hub - which includes the former National Stadium location - opens in the first quarter of 2014 but it is unclear if the existing Kallang Tennis Centre will be refurbished, or rebuilt entirely.

Former Singapore men's No 1 Mahader Hassan, 54, now an entrepreneur in the renewable energy industry, is excited over the latest development.

" ... It's definitely a positive but, beyond the academy, you need a very good development programme and Sanchez-Casal have a good reputation for that," he said.

ORIGINAL SOURCE