TENNIS is his passion and T. Paul Thomas would love to perform well in the CEO & Celebrity Charity Tennis event but the competition will not be the crucial factor when he participates for the third time at National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Jalan Duta on Dec 9.
Thomas, the managing director of Manproserv Consulting Sdn Bhd, said this is the only tennis event that focuses solely on raising funds for charity and this was enough to lure him to compete.
He was unable to play in the inaugural event in 2008 due to commitments but competed in 2009 and 2010.
Thomas, 53, had played in the Malaysian inter-varsity tennis competition when a student with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and still plays in veteran events.
"I love tennis and like to compete but the CEO & Celebrity Tennis is a rare event where charity is the theme. The funds go to a noble cause and there is no better way to do it while enjoying some fun tennis," said Thomas in a statement.
"It's the only charity tennis event in the country and you don't often get the opportunity to play with celebrities."
The doubles event will see a player being paired off with different partners and must complete five matches and the player with the highest points will be declared champion.
Thomas has been keeping himself fit for the event by practicing twice a week.
NST and eCEOs Sdn Bhd are joint organisers of the fourth edition of the event while Dunlop, Mohamed Ridza & Co, Petra Energy Berhad, Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, Mudajaya Group Berhad and the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia are the official partners.- www.nst.com.my
