The Hong Kong Tennis Association is organizing a tennis fundraiser this Sunday (Jun 1) to help contribute to the relief effort in the aftermath of the 8.0 earthquake that struck Sichuan on May 12. HK's top coaches, as well as a number of former and current pros, will join in with the endeavour. All donations collected shall go towards the Hong Kong Red Cross China Relief Fund.
The quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12 has left close to 70,000 lives lost, and many more homes destroyed. Recent reports indicate that relief workers are struggling to keep roads open to provide a lifeline for a last ditch effort to reach possible survivors stranded from help.
Potential landslides and floods, not to mention the constant threat of aftershocks remain a clear and present danger. According to the China Seismological Bureau, over 8,900 aftershocks have been recorded since the big one hit Sichuan some two weeks ago.
As if that wasn't enough, two recent aftershocks measured at 5.5 or above on the Richter Scale were a powerful reminder that things could still turn for the better just as easily as for the worse. Although more aid is on its way, it is evident that most people, especially those in the disaster zone, still live under extreme duress.
So why not join us this Sunday and lend a helping hand – If you "Love Tennis, Help Sichuan".
Hong Kong's top tennis coaches and players will be present at the Chinese Recreation Club (香港中華游樂會) in Causeway Bay, at the South China Athletic Association (南華體育會網球中心) on Wyllie Road, and at the Craigengower Cricket Club (紀利華木球會) on Wong Nai Chung Road and will be available for Tennis Lessons or Tennis Challenges.
All three clubs have generously donated court hours and facilities for the day.
Choose the coach you wish to have lessons with, or the player you wish to challenge, and then come to one of the clubs, make your donation, and enjoy a memorable tennis experience for a very good cause.
A donation of a minimum of HK$1,000 per court will fetch up to an hour's worth of tennis lesson with the coach of your choice.
Alternatively, for a minimum of HK$2,000, you may wish to challenge a current or past Davis Cup and/or Federation Cup player to a duel for up to 45 minutes or a few good hits with some great tennis tips.
Ray Kelly the Director of Coaching at the HKTA will be there doing some specialized training; if you have a problem area let Ray try to sort it out for HK$2,000 minimum donation.
A number of former and present Hong Kong number ones, such as John Hui, Wayne Wong, Yu Hiu Tung, Brian Hung, Tong Ka Po, Zhang Ling, and many more, will be on hand to face all challengers for a good cause on Sunday.
Former Pepperdine stand-out, John Hui, was of course the first player from Hong Kong to win All-America honours in US Collegiate tennis, the first from Hong Kong (with Melvin Tong) to medal at both the All China Games and the Asian Championships, and the first man from Hong Kong to crack the ATP top-160 ranking in doubles.
Another interesting former ATP pro who will be making an appearance is Aussie Mark Kratzmann, whose court time could be had for a minimum donation of $HK3,000. He is of course a household name in world tennis, having won multiple junior Grand Slams before, including a victory over Boris Becker in the 1984 US Open boys' singles final. The lefty was also a former top-50 singles player and a top-5 doubles player on the ATP Tour. He was also an Australian Davis Cupper.
In addition, there are other channels through which you can make a contribution. For instance:
Photo Session with the Olympic Torch
Yu Hiu Tung and Distrcit Council Member, Mr. Chan Siu Tong, have generously allowed us the use of their Olympic Torch for the day. For a minimum donation of HK$100 per person, you can have a photo taken with the torch, i.e., for a family of four, the amount to donate would come to a minimum of HK$400.
Details:
Chinese Recreation Club 9am - 6pm
South China Athletic Association 9am - 12nn
Craigengower Cricket Club 9am - 5pm
Bid for an Autographed racquet & cover by Maria Sharapova OR
An Autographed racquet & cover by Daniela Hantuchova
Simon Wong of Prince has generously donated an autographed tennis racquet and signed racquet cover by Maria Sharapova, as well as an autographed tennis racquet and a signed racquet cover by Daniela Hantuchova (Closed bidding auction during the day at CRC: Minimum bid HK$5,000 for Sharopova's racquet and a minimum of HK$2,000 for Hantuchova's racquet).
Additional bids will be collected at CRC, SCAA and CCC on June 1.
Donations
Please make your donations by crossed cheques made payable to:
The Hong Kong Red Cross China Relief Fund 香港紅十字會中國賑災金 (with "HKTA" written on back of the cheque).
Receipts will be issued to the donors on request. Cash will be also be accepted.
For further details, please visit the section of our website under HKTA Tennis For Sichuan.