| ITF/GSDF Facility Grants |
 | | Cambodia |  | | Cambodia Openning Ceremony |  | | Seychelles |  | | Turks & Caicos |
The ITF can assist National Association by providing grants towards the establishment or improvement of National Tennis Centres in developing countries. Since 1984, 94 National Associations have taken advantage of the assistance available, either to construct a new facility, to renovate or to add roofing and lighting to the courts, under their ownership or control. The grants for facilities awarded to countries are paid in instalments at the start, midway and at completion of the projects.
The ITF facility grant represents a small percentage of the overall building cost; however the grant often acts as an endorsement and catalyst to enable associations to attract other funding whether from the government or private sector. In 2010, the following 9 National Associations benefited from the facility grant:
Bolivia
Cambodia
Djibouti
Grenada
Guatemala
Malawi
Seychelles
Syria
Turks & Caicos
Examples of Facility Grants
Bolivia
The Federación Boliviana de Tenis was awarded a facility grant of US$5,000 to help towards the cost of constructing lighting on five courts at their Santa Cruz centre. In September 2010, the work was completed and the facility can now be used for the national training of the best players and for national and international events.
Seychelles
In February 2009, The Seychelles Tennis Association received a grant towards the cost of resurfacing three courts. By April 2009, the Association had completely resurfaced 5 courts at their National Tennis Centre. The Seychelles Tennis Association showed commitment despite the harsh economic environment. Apart from the ITF grant other sources were gained to ensure the development of tennis in the country.
Cambodia
The Tennis Federation of Cambodia was awarded a facility grant in August 2009 in order to build three courts. Tep Rithivit known as Mr Tennis’ son proved that a National Tennis Centre could be built in order to promote and develop tennis in the country. The three court centre was completed in April 2010 with an opening ceremony. According to Anil Khanna, president of the Asian Tennis Federation ‘The tennis Federation of Cambodia is the most improved national association’.
Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Tennis Association was awarded a facility grant of US$15,000 in August 2009 to build a new tennis centre with two fully lit and fenced courts. The clearing of the ground started in November 2009. The work continued through 2010 and despite delays due to weather, the work was completed in October 2010. The two floodlit courts were opened for play in October 2010, for a Tennis 10s session and shortly after the courts were tested out in a dedicated junior coaching session for players aged 11+. The GSDF grant proved to be a catalyst for the federation in enabling them to raise donations from private individuals in order to fund the full cost of the courts.
Djibouti
The Federation Djiboutienne de Tennis was awarded a grant in June 2009 to build a new Tennis Centre comprising of 2 courts in Gabode, Djibouti. Phase 1 comprising the first court was finished by June 2010.
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