Lack of sponsorship forces officials to cancel the 2012 Soweto Open – Tennis News
Tennis in South Africa receives yet another major setback in the form of cancellation of another event that was schedule to be contested in April, 2012. Soweto Open is cancelled because there have not been enough sponsorship accumulated
to make sure that tournament could be hosted with elite facilities and world class amenities.
This tournament was the major hope for the youngsters of South Africa that have been deprived of such elite events on regular intervals. Soweto Open was successfully hosted for three consecutive years but the financial breakdown
in the world has in turn depleted the sponsorship that has immobilized the officials to continue this tournament at-least for one year.
Johannesburg City Council was the lead source of financing for this event and they have been sponsoring all activities since 2009 but this year they denied renewing the contract due to financial constraints. It’s a massive blow
to the South African tennis advancements as youngsters will be disheartened and infant performers might switch their professional career in order to secure their future. The following of tennis will also decrease at mass level that will dismantle the slow
progress of tennis in South Africa.
Tournament officials were very disappointed to make such a heartbreaking announcement. South African Tennis Association (Sata) chief executive, Ian Smith stated “Without a sponsor there was no way we could stage the Soweto Open
in April.”
South Africa has been one of the leading performers in the world of cricket but they haven’t been able to produce a world class talent in the field of tennis on regular intervals. This is due to the lack of basic infrastructure
for tennis and minimal coaching facilities.
There is still a hope of an event being organised at the end of 2012 but it again depends on the sponsorship that is accumulated. Seeing a major sponsor stepping down, it will require a massive effort from the officials to collect
the required finances to make the tournament possible. Smith said “We have a deadline of late May or early June to find a sponsor and get ATP sanction for a Challenger tournament."
Smith proclaimed that they are trying their level best to gather the funds that will enable them to arrange the tournament but it will never be an easy task at all. He said “It won't be easy but we are not giving up yet bringing
international tennis to South Africa in 2012 at men's and women's level."
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