Official opening of Junior Hopman Cup tennis tournament

3/1/98

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said today that the expanded Junior Hopman Cup mixed tennis tournament was growing in status.

It was also opening the way for more sporting exchanges between Western Australia and its near neighbours in Asia and Africa.

Mr Moore was speaking at the official opening of the seven-nation, 18 years and under tournament at the State Tennis Centre at Burswood.

He said that three more countries - Japan, China and India - had joined Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and South Africa at the four-day tournament. A WA team also would take part.

"The fact that three more nations have accepted invitations to play is further indication of the tournament's growing status as an international event for elite young players," Mr Moore said.

"We will be aiming to encourage more sportsmen and women from Asia and Africa to visit WA to compete in events such as the Junior Hopman Cup, and for WA athletes to make return visits.

"Encouraging international tennis players to visit WA was one of the State Government's objectives when we provided financial support to build the State Tennis Centre.

"The Junior Hopman Cup, which has attracted some of the world's finest young tennis players, is exactly the type of event we envisaged for Perth."

Mr Moore said that sporting exchanges provided an important link between nations for a whole range of reasons - they cemented relationships socially, culturally and commercially.

"On top of this is the beneficial impact international sporting events have on our growing tourism industry that is so important to us," he said.

"Tennis is an emerging sport in Asia and already we have seen some quality players emerging as the game becomes more popular there.

"Events such as the Junior Hopman Cup play an important role in developing the game in that region and I commend both Tennis West and the Hopman Cup people for the efforts they have put in."

Media contacts: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office (08) 9321 1444

Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation (08) 9387 9749