THE 20TH edition of the JRG Gullas Cup age group tennis tournament, the second-longest running age group netfest in the country, will start today at the CitiGreen Tennis Resort in Labangon and at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club (AVGCC) covered tennis courts in Pardo.
Tournament founder Dodong Gullas said in a press conference last Monday at the University of the Visayas (UV) main campus that he’s thankful for all the support the tournament has been getting throughout the years.
”Running a tournament for 20 years isn’t easy,” he said. “That’s why nagpasalamat ko sa tanan support, especially you in the media.” (That’s why I thank everybody for the support, especially you in the media.)
He said one of the reasons why the tournament has lasted this long is because of his determination to help youngsters succeed in sports.
“I was once also a player, a coach and eventually a president of the Cebu Schools Athletic Federation Inc. So, I would really like to help the young tennis players,” he added.
He also said one of the tournament’s goals is to help keep the youth away from illegal drugs.
“I would also like to remind them (the players) to keep studying hard because it’s very vital for their future. And lastly and most importantly, I would like to appeal to them to please, please keep away from illegal drugs,” Gullas said.
Meanwhile, tournament organizer John Pages announced that some 150 players coming from the Visayas and Mindanao regions have already registered for the event.
“There were two tournaments that served as a prelude to the 20th JRG Cup, the Milo Visayas Leg and the Head tournament so the players coming from far areas are already here in Cebu City,” said Pages, who also added that he’s continuing to lobby for the tournament to become a Group 1 event by next year.
Presently, the JRG Cup has been classified by the Philta as a Group 2 tournament.
The five-day tournament will feature 10-Under Unisex, boy’s and girl’s 12-Under, 14-Under, 16-Under and 18-Under categories.
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