KUALA LUMPUR – Tennis may not be the favourite sport of most Malaysians, but with a racket in one hand and a vision in the other, Mirzan Mahathir aims to change the narrative and direction of the sport by making it more accessible to the younger generation.
Since taking on the role of president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) in 2015, Mirzan has been raising the bar of the sport by bringing prestigious tournaments like the Billie Jean King Cup and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s World Tennis Tour into the country.
Under his leadership, Malaysia has recently hosted the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour for the third year in a row, which featured rising stars such as Japan’s Naho Sato, ranked 395th by the Women’s Tennis Association, and Hong Kong’s Cody Wong (408th).
Speaking to Scoop, Mirzan shared that his journey with tennis was not just a casual affair; it was a lifelong passion intertwined with moments of triumph and lessons learned.
“Tennis is a sport close to my heart, as I have always been involved in this sport since I was young.
“Though I was never good at it, I try to use the experience and ability that I have gained from my years as a businessman and work with the elected exco to organise and improve tennis in our country every year with the resources that we receive.
“Tennis has shaped my character, teaching me many life lessons like integrity and hard work. It has matured me and taught me not to be judgmental. It also teaches me how to lose gracefully and not to react based on my emotions.
“I believe it offers important life lessons for the younger generation and has the potential to elevate Malaysians to greater heights,” said Mirzan.
Mirzan added that his association had been actively coming up with initiatives to increase the participation of young tennis players in the country by making use of some of the nation’s existing facilities.
Last year, the LTAM introduced the red, orange and green development programme, catering to players aged 10 and below.
This initiative utilised red, orange and green balls as per the ITF guidelines.
Participants engaged in matches using smaller, lighter rackets on mini tennis courts with lowered nets.
“In any sport, particularly in tennis, participation is paramount. While tennis may often be perceived as an elite sport, Malaysia is fortunate to boast numerous accessible facilities across the country.
“The affordability of tennis makes it an inclusive option, with the durability and cost-effectiveness of tennis balls further enhancing its accessibility compared to badminton shuttlecocks.
“We owe much to the legacy of our past leaders in developing top-notch facilities nationwide. Both the government and private sectors continue their concerted efforts, presenting us with an opportunity to capitalise on this infrastructure and bolster participation, particularly among the youth.
“We aim to introduce tennis to children as young as 6-years-old, providing structured training and opportunities for regional-level competitions, and fostering their growth and enthusiasm for the sport,” he said.
Mirzan also said that the LTAM has specialised programmes in place for players aged 14 and above, preparing them for prestigious international events like the ITF World Junior Championships.
For the record, the Malaysian women’s national team secured a commendable sixth place in the Billie Jean King Cup last July, defeating Hong Kong in the classification match.
Malaysia rank fifth in the all-time SEA Games medal table for tennis, with a remarkable tally of 21 medals, including three silvers and 18 bronzes.
The men’s doubles pair of Zainuddin Meah and Mohd Akbar Baba hold historical significance as the first Malaysians to clinch a medal in the SEA Games, achieving this milestone at the 1973 edition in Singapore.
Malaysia also have a record of winning two bronze medals in the Asian Games. – March 9, 2024