Sri Lanka’s Tennis Interim Committee, which is faced with the task of introducing the traditionally elitist sport to far off areas in the island, is to introduce Mini Tennis to outstation schools shortly, its President Janaka Bogollagama told ‘The Island’ on Saturday (13).

Mini Tennis is an internationally recognised scheme of introducing tennis to the juniors and has been in existence here for nearly eight years.

"We’ll first do a survey to find out the areas Mini Tennis could be launched. Then the administrators in those areas will collaborate with us to build at least a single clay court there. It will cost nearly Rs. 100,000," explained Bogollagama, who was heading the SL Tennis Association (SLTA) when Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge appointed an interim administration on Aug. 30, citing irregularities with the SLTA affiliates and some team selection disputes.

Bogollagama, who presided over the first Interim Committee meeting on Friday (12), further added the SLTA will train Mini Tennis Instructors soon at the SLTA.

Following a brief period of Mini Tennis in schools, the better players will be picked for a junior tennis coaching programme that will be held at the central courts of the particular district/area. Nearly 40 tennis clubs affiliated to the SLTA and spread round the island will also form a part of this programme.