KUALA LUMPUR: Tennis Malaysia (TM) is hoping to raise about RM30,000 to help cover the cost to host the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group II competition at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) from July 15 to 20.
TM honorary secretary Shahrul Hafidz AB Rahim, who expects the tournament to cost at least RM250,000 to run, said they were still short on funding.
So far, TM have received a US$37,500 (RM176,500) grant from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as an allocation of RM53,000 from the Youth and Sports Ministry, via the National Trust Fund for Sports (KWASN).
"This is the third year in a row that ITF have entrusted us with hosting this competition," said Hafidz today.
"Last year, it cost us RM250,000. We expect the cost to be slightly more this year due to inflation and so on.
"We are grateful to the Youth and Sports Ministry for the KWASN allocation as we did not receive any allocation last year.
"We are hoping to raise the rest of the funds needed through sponsorship and are in the process of approaching potential sponsors.
"Among the potential sponsors we are hoping to have on board includes the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (MSC). We could have their branding across the event in lieu of the court rental costs for the tournament.
"This is a world-class tournament which has been dubbed the 'World Cup of Tennis' for the women's game. Sponsors will receive international exposure."
Hafidz said TM would have to pay MSC, which manages the NTC facility, roughly RM30,000 in court rental fees to host the tournament.
The Malaysia national team will also compete in the tournament alongside Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Pakistan.
Hafidz said the group draw would only be conducted just before the tournament starts.
"We have appointed S. Selvarajoo and Zulkhairi Mohd Khir to coach the national team for this tournament.
"We are currently finalising the squad for the tournament and will announce the line-up soon."
Among the players that have been shortlisted are Sharifah Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman, Shihomi Leong and Zenn Lim.