THE International Tennis Federation (ITF) has boosted this year’s ITF Men’s Futures with a cash package of $4500 (Rwf. 2.5m) reports Bonnie Mugabe. ITF’s contribution means that Rwanda Tennis Federations (RTF) is now $5,600 shy of raising the $10000 needed to stage the event which is slated for September 12-19. The ITF boss Francesco Ricci Bitti said, “We are delighted to be able to direct these funds specifically towards the development of competitive tennis and deeply appreciate that the Grand Slam nations are in a position to support our programme,” “It is fitting that these great tournaments, which are showcases of our sport and provide stability for the professional game, are able to help by some tangible means to extend the competitive frontiers of tennis,”Bitti added. During the period 1986- 2008 more than $67million has been invested by the ITF and the Grand Slam Nations in tennis development activities in 150 countries worldwide. Ends
