DEFENDING champions Sarawak have withdrawn from the Malaysia Games tennis event, which starts today, at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
It is a surprise move by the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) considering that they won the overall title last year in Malacca quite easily.
The SLTA development programme is also one of the best in the country as it has been producing junior players with potential of late.
SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew said it would not have been cost-effective if the association brought back its overseas players for the Malaysia Games.
"We prepare our players on a two-year cycle. As we had won the overall title in last year's edition, we were looking forward to defend it next year," said Patrick when contacted in Kuching on Tuesday.
"The Malaysia Games is an important affair for sports development.
"However, our main goal for now is to help our state-level players attain international exposure."
Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam, who won the men's singles title in last year's Malaysia Games and Chong Zhia Hwa are with the national Davis Cup team while Kuching-born Assri Merzuki is based in the United States.
