World Junior Tennis Tour to start in Ramna on Saturday

The 35th Bangladesh World Junior (U-18) Tennis Tour J-30, approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), is set to get underway on Saturday at the National Tennis Complex in Ramna. A total of 75 players from 13 countries, including hosts Bangladesh, will take part in the week-long event.

The participating countries are Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain, Hong Kong China, India, Korea, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA, with neighbouring India sending the highest number of participants — 35 players.

Bangladesh will be represented by 13 players — six boys and seven girls — who will compete across four events: boys' singles, boys' doubles, girls' singles, and girls' doubles. The Bangladesh Tennis Federation (BTF) has pinned its hopes on promising youngster Zarif Abrar.

BTF general secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Kuren shared the details at a press conference held at the federation's conference room on Wednesday.

"This tournament provides our local players with a valuable opportunity to compete against stronger international opponents and improve their individual rankings," said Ishtiaq. "We are particularly hopeful about Zarif's performance."

He added, "You know Zarif has already reached the semifinals of the ongoing ITF tournament in Rajshahi, and we're expecting him to make the final. We're confident he can continue that form in the upcoming Dhaka event as well."

The tournament will feature two segments — the main draw and the qualifying draw. Ten players will progress from the qualifying rounds to join 22 in the main draw.

Ishtiaq also informed that six Bangladeshi players will directly enter the main draw after receiving four wildcards and two special consideration entries.

The tournament, with a total budget of Tk 68 lakh, is being sponsored by Bank Asia, Suzuki Motorbikes, and Dana Petroleum.