UAE tennis served an Ace as game set to grow

Tennis Emirates, the UAE's national tennis association, has agreed a deal with Dubai-based MediaPro-Middle East in a bid to develop the sport in the country and attract new talent to the game.

The five-year partnership will see several different initiatives put in place, including a website, national rankings and membership and grassroots programmes.

Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, secretary-general of Tennis Emirates, said he believes the deal can help the sport thrive and build on the annual Dubai Open.

"We are happy to have come to an agreement with MediaPro and we feel this will enable the Tennis Association to finally put into action the many ideas and projects that we previously were not able to do," said Al Nuaimi.

"The Tennis Association has appointed MediaPro with the intention of co-ordinating and carrying out on our behalf the new strategy of Tennis Emirates."

Such strategy includes building interest in tennis from a young age and director of Tennis Emirates, Slah Bramly, said he hopes to attract 10,000 new players to the game by 2014.

"We have to introduce tennis to the young kids in the schools and provide opportunities for the game to grow," he said.

"There is a potential to have more than 10,000 children and adults actively playing tennis within the next five years in the country, which, in return, would benefit all parts of the game: more coaching, more equipment, more tennis courts and more competitions."

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.