Bartleet Finance supports Junior Tennis Initiative program in Sri Lanka

Leading finance solutions company, Bartleet Finance has stepped into the arena of tennis for a second consecutive year to sponsor the Junior Tennis Initiative Program in Sri Lanka (Tennis 10s & Performance Tennis). The Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) programme is an endeavor successfully implemented by International Tennis Federation and Sri Lanka Tennis Association since 1998, producing a significant number of skilled tennis players across Sri Lanka. Bartleet Finance has taken on the role of sponsor with the aim of empowering potential tennis players be highlighted in the sporting arena as upcoming professionals for the nation.

The Junior Tennis Initiative Programme was introduced under two key sections, mainly Mini Tennis, also known widely as the Tennis 10’s and Performance Tennis. Mini Tennis or Tennis 10’s is a simpler mode of teaching children tennis with modified equipment while Performance Tennis is a follow up programme of the Tennis 10s programme where players are trained regularly and consistently while getting the opportunity to play more tournaments than before.

Chairman of Bartleet Finance, Mr. Dharma Dheerasinghe commenting on the sponsorship said, “As a national minded corporate, Bartleet Finance is keen to develop and support the growth of a popular sport such as Tennis in Sri Lanka whilst paving way for young talent to reach the pinnacle of their sporting careers as upcoming sportsmen, who will be able to represent their nation on an international platform in the near future. We believe in giving these players an opportunity to challenge themselves by competing with tennis players in their own categories, which will undoubtedly give them the confidence they need to face tougher challenges to become successful sportsmen, continuously developing their talents. We are proud to be a driving force behind the success of our nation’s future generation.”

Commenting on behalf of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA), President of SLTA Mr. Maxwell de Silva said, “Since the inception of the Junior Tennis Initiative Programme in 1998, we have successfully groomed and produced many talented tennis players in Sri Lanka who have proceeded onto become noted performers in the sporting arena. We are pleased to have a reputed financial institution such as Bartleet Finance on board for the second consecutive year as the official sponsor and believe that this will be a mutually beneficial and progressive partnership that will assuredly develop the tennis sport in Sri Lanka.”

Over the past decade an impressive number of talented students took part in the Junior Tennis Initiative Programmes and have done significantly well, advancing to the standard of being able to participate in International Tournaments as well. The Sri Lanka Tennis Association has been able to successfully attract potential players to participate in its tournaments, opening possibilities to these players to gain further practice and self-confidence to become consummate sporting professionals in Sri Lanka’s sporting field.

The Junior Tennis Initiative Programme is conducted by SLTA appointed regional coordinators and closely monitored by an SLTA National Coordinator who oversees the entire programme. The success of this programme is apparent through follow up programmes initiated by several regional schools where regular tennis programmes are conducted through the JTI programme. At present, the JTI programme is successfully carried out in 10 regions island-wide.

As a follow up programme of this sponsorship and also SLTA’s player development programme, the SLTA has made plans to form a pool titled the “Bartleet Finance SLTA’s Out Station Development Pool” with 20 potential players around the country who will be supported by SLTA and Bartleet.

One of the most successful events Bartleet Finance hosted was the All Island Inter Schools Tennis 10s Championship held in 2011 where the number of participants came to a total of 900, which clearly demonstrates the enthusiasm displayed by avid tennis players in Sri Lanka. Bartleet Finance will continue to offer its support to uplift sporting events of this calibre, whilst simultaneously steering young talent to achieve their goals and groom them to become worthy citizens of Sri Lanka who will prove to be assets to the development of the nation.

As a socially responsible corporate, Bartleet Finance PLC strongly believes in nurturing the underprivileged talent in Sri Lanka by providing unstinted support to elevate their skills.

Bartleet Finance PLC, a Central Bank approved finance house, specializes in the areas of Fixed Deposits, Leasing, Corporate Finance and Margin Trading. The organization is currently focusing on expanding its reach across the nation through its branch expansion, bringing its services one step closer to all Sri Lankans. Bartleet Group, the parent company of Bartleet Finance PLC, is a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka. Since its inception the Bartleet Group has remained true to its commitment of uplifting the Sri Lankan economy and the living conditions of its citizens.