     
Mr Mehmet Ali Karamemis, President of ATBI (left)
shaking hands with Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia’s Director of Player Development |
Gallipoli Youth Cup about to start19 July 2007Tennis Australia, in conjunction with Australian Turkish Business & Industry (ATBI), today announced a new international junior tournament, the inaugural Gallipoli Youth Cup.The Gallipoli Youth Cup will be a Group 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) event featuring an international field of boys and girls. The event will be held at Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open, from 19-24 April 2008.This unique sporting event aims to foster the already significant relationship between Australia and Turkey. The ATBI will also develop an education program, with school children from Victoria invited to attend the event where they will receive information on the history of the Gallipoli campaign, Ataturk and the ANZACs.“The Gallipoli Youth Cup is a welcome addition to Tennis Australia’s national junior event calendar,” said Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia’s Director of Player Development.“As well as the many solemn ANZAC Day commemorations, Australians celebrate the spirit of Gallipoli through sport, with both the AFL and Rugby League dedicating matches to the men and women who served their country. The Gallipoli Youth Cup will give young tennis players the chance to embrace this tradition,” continued Tiley.Mehmet Karamemis, President of ATBI, said, “The Gallipoli Youth Cup is a tremendous opportunity for all young players - particularly those from Australia, Turkey and New Zealand - to demonstrate their friendship as nations by participating in this prestigious junior tennis tournament.”“The symbolism of Gallipoli, of courage, mateship and determination, should produce the finest sporting competition, and I can say from the perspective of both the Australian and Turkish community here in Melbourne, that we will be supporting all the participants. I am delighted that this partnership between Tennis Australia and ATBI has been able to create something that has significance to our young people today,” Karamemis continued.The ATBI will host a dinner during the event for Australian and Turkish community identities, and there will be a celebrity match played on the day of the finals. Former Wimbledon Champion, Pat Cash, will be ambassador for the event. |
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