OTR Tennis Asia Information

In October 2010, OTR Tennis Asia Ltd, Ken Salimbangon, Nestor Toledo and Rey Eschavez founded the Cebu International Tennis Centre Incorporated: CITCI. CITCI is a non-profit organization whose aims are to provide a safe environment for underprivileged children as well as promoting the spirit of tennis and nurturing future champions. Our goals are clearly defined but also broad. We initially want to establish and develop a comprehensive tennis program for Cebu juniors, from the grass roots level all the way up to Professional level players. We hope we can take underprivileged kids off the streets of Cebu, and give them an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming tennis players. We hope to offer players a platform from which they may perform from, or a stepping-stone towards acquiring scholarships into schools, through their tennis credentials. We also hope to organize and run international ITF Tournaments in the future, thus becoming one of the most prestigious tennis Academy's in the Philippines. Our venue is the CITCI at Laray, Consolacion Cebu. It is 40 minutes from Cebu Mactan Airport. We currently have 8 courts - 4 shale and 4 hard courts. This is the only venue in Cebu with more than 4 courts. To make CITCI an internationally recognized venue, a massive upgrade is required. With the help of recent donations and fundraising events, we have upgraded the four shale courts. Our next challenge will be to begin work on the four hard courts. We estimate they will be completed by October 2011 and will be Laykold cushioned hard courts, based on the Sony Ericsson Miami Open in the states. As development continues, we will be building a new clubhouse, a gym, a centre court with seating, as well as accommodation for the growing numbers of players we anticipate to train at CITCI in the future. CITCI has just hosted the Milo Junior Series tournament and will be a regular venue on the junior circuit of the Philippines. Currently, there are 8 highly motivated professionals at CITCI, whom are all very eager to improve their coaching ability and to pass on their knowledge of the game. Each coach has had experience with the USTPA coaching program, attending coaching workshops and also benefiting from OTR Tennis Asia Ltd. guidance. OTR Professionals conduct regular coaching clinics for players and coaches of CITCI as well as tours to Cebu for Hong Kong based players. The current program runs 3 times a week, and also on Saturdays and Sundays. Towards the later half of 2011, we will be introducing a full time, 7 days per week program. The players are coached both individually as well as in squads, with a rigorous fitness program. We believe we can help each individual progress to the best of their ability. Players will be taught the importance of responsibility, self-discipline, self-belief, inner motivation and the ability to cooperate with others. All CITCI players will be challenged both on and off the court, mentally as well as physically. They will learn to appreciate and respect the dedication required to excel in this truly wonderful sport.