Kota Kinabalu: Harith Jay Sunil Manoharan got a wonderful surprise when he was literally capped as the “best sportsman” at the Rafa Nadal Academy tennis training camp held in Kota Kinabalu over the weekend.
Harith was named as “best sportsman” by the panel of professional coaches who conducted the training camp. He was awarded a cap that is originally signed by tennis icon Rafael Nadal of Spain – well known as the King of Clay.
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This is the first time that the Rafa Nadal Academy has extended its tennis training tour to Sabah.
“This camp offers an exceptional experience for young athletes to develop their tennis skills under the guidance of world-class coaches and trainers.
We believe that this opportunity will greatly benefit Harith and his fellow trainees both athletically and personally, providing invaluable lessons and experiences that align with their passion and dedication to the sport,” said Taren Sunil Manoharan, the founder of Kelab Tenis Gemilang Sandakan (KTGS) where Harith is based.
Taren, who is also the Patron of KTGS, praised Sabah Tennis Association for their foresight in promoting tennis especially among local youngsters.
Because of STA’s dedication towards the game, they coordinated with the relevant parties and authorities to convince the Rafa Nadal Academy to organise this tennis camp in Sabah.
“We hope they will make it a more regular affair and perhaps vary the venue to other big towns in Sabah such as Tawau and Sandakan,” added Taren.
He expressed his view that such camps organised by internationally renowned establishments will strongly boost the popularity of the tennis and uplift the standard of the game here in Sabah and Malaysia.
Harith admitted that winning a prized original Nadal-signed cap will spur him do try harder and do even better for the future of his tennis.
His elder brother Harish was the former Saga singles champion for two years and held several national junior titles.
Even after he went to Germany to study engineering, he won a place representing a long-established club there and was a member of their winning tennis team on several occasions.
“For the good of tennis in Sabah, it is important that we keep our young players continuously involved in the game. The sad fact is that many players who showed great potential during their school days tend to drop out of the game when they start their work careers,” lamented Taren.
