Arcilla graces inauguration of CITCI’s new tennis courts

CEBU grassroots tennis finally has a home as the eight-court Consolacion Tennis Courts was inaugurated yesterday in Consolacion town, Cebu.

The project was made possible through the passion and dreams of the founders of Cebu International Tennis Center Inc. (CITCI) who found a partner in the Municipality of Consolacion.

The newly refurbished tennis court is now home to both CITCI and the Consolacion Tennis Club (Contec).

The facility boasts of four hard courts and four clay courts and is eyed as the venue not only for local and national tournaments but also for international tournaments.

Johnny Arcilla, the country’s No.1 tennis player, has also promised to hold one of his sponsored tournaments at the venue next year.

Attending yesterday’s inauguration was CITCI president Ken Salimbangon, tennis director Nestor Toledo, John Pages and Consolacion Vice Mayor Aurelio Damole.

CITCI, a non-stock, non-profit tennis organization, started as an idea among a group of tennis enthusiasts here in Cebu, which was made concrete last November.

It is 60 percent made up of Filipino and 40 percent foreigner with Australian tennis coaches Graeme Foster, Adrian Montesinos and Jason Sankey representing OTR Tennis Asia Ltd., a prestigious tennis academy in Hong Kong, also as incorporators.

OTR Tennis funded a Cebuano player and coach to go to Hong Kong for a training.

Yesterday’s program started with the blessing of all eight courts, followed by the ceremonial toss and an exhibition match between Arcilla and Sankey which the former won, 8-4. A tennis clinic followed in the afternoon handled by Arcilla among others. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON