Hundreds Of Students Join In The Fun At The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Hundreds of school children from across the UAE took to the court today at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium to help usher in this year’s tournament with excitement and energy. Over 750 children from fifteen schools in the Emirate participated in the Kids’ Day which included entertainment, prizes, and a tennis clinic for all ages and skill levels.
Held under the instruction of tennis coaches from the Clark Francis Tennis Academy, the one hour clinic gave kids an opportunity to interact with top WTA players, all while having fun and learning more about the sport. Clark Francis said “The aim of the day is to develop kids from as young as four years old, right through to the professional ranks. It was a great turnout and a wonderful day." With the students’ ages ranging from 7 to 15, the coaches provided lessons and entertainment and the excitement on everyone’s faces during the day was clear to see.
After an on court lesson, teenagers from The Dubai Indian School were asked what they liked best about Kids’ Day. “The tennis and the dancing” said 13 year old student Sanjana. The entire court’s seating area erupted with cheers as all the schools participated in dancing to the popular, “Gangnam Style” song in the stands.
The music and clinic was a big hit with both teachers and students alike. Chanelle Black, a teacher at Raffles International School, said afterwards “It’s great to bring the kids, it’s great to see them having fun and the event gets better very year.”
Helping to give away the prizes that the kids won were doubles players Katalin Marosi and Darija Jurak. Both players agreed that the day was great fun, with Marosi adding, “It’s always great to come back here to Dubai, and have fun in this great weather.” The two players also joined the court to play a doubles game with two students of the Clark Francis Tennis Academy.
Tournament Director, Salah Talak was on hand to witness the clinic and meet some of the participants “The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is not just for the elite players. It is great to see so many kids on the court, and having so much fun” he said.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Play started at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on 18 February with the WTA Tour event, and continues on 25 February with the ATP tournament that features defending champion Roger Federer, and world number one Novak Djokovic.
Tickets for the event are available from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud which opens from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand tickets can also be bought online at http://www.timeouttickets.com/.
For further information about tickets, prices and the tournament phone the call centre on +971 4 4172415.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Feb 18, 2013
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