GRASSROOTS tennis is best served with passion and that is exactly what the sport has received in Kedah.
The Jitra Tennis Centre of Excellence (JTCE), which was built in the 1960s, had fallen into a poor state in recent years but has now received a much-needed makeover, thanks to the efforts of the state government as well as a dedicated group of players from the Jitra Tennis Club.
All four courts at the facility have been resurfaced while two courts have now been installed with floodlights to allow for night use.
Basic amenities such as toilets, changing rooms, stands as well as the fencing surrounding the facility, have also been refurbished.
Jitra Tennis Club spokesperson Dr Rahizam Rahim disclosed that the renovation process cost roughly RM450,000.
"Initially the (federal) government had promised an (RM400,000) allocation to refurbish the facility in 2018 but that fell through after the change of government following the general election (2018)," said Rahizam.
"In May 2019, a few friends and I submitted a proposal for the refurbishment of the facility to the Kedah Youth and Sports Department and we are grateful that it was approved in January 2020.
"The amount, however, was not enough to cover everything but we were able to raise the additional funds needed, thanks to a RM50,000 contribution from Customcraft (M) Sdn Bhd.
"Work began in May last year and it was completed in October."
Rahizam is also a former national tennis player and had gone on to become national coach and later as Tennis Malaysia honorary secretary.
The Jitra native said seeing JTCE being revamped meant a lot to him and his family who have been involved in tennis in Jitra for over four decades.
Rahizam's father Abdul Rahim Ismail, 80, had begun a coaching programme at the Jitra courts during the 1970s.
While Abdul Rahim no longer coaches, his three children Rokyzal, Rufizal and Dr Rahela — who are all accomplished tennis players — continue the coaching programme in Jitra today.
"These tennis courts (JTCE) have been around since the 1960s and my father, who was a teacher, loves tennis and he started a coaching programme here. Everyone here knows him as 'Cikgu Rahim'.
"Today, my three siblings who are based in Kedah, continue coaching the children here. Most of the kids are between the ages of six and 12 and they train here during the weekend as well as on some weekdays.
"This is our way of giving back to the community.
"The children loved to play here even when the courts were in a bad condition previously.
"I believe even more of them will play here now that we have nice courts to play on," added Rahizam, who is currently a senior lecturer (sports science) at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).