ITI Junior Tennis Challenger Series End on a High Note

The International Training Institute-sponsored (ITI) Junior Tennis Challenger Series wrapped up its 2025 campaign successfully last Saturday, 11th October 2025, with an awards presentation held at the Port Moresby Racquets Club. 

This initiative is part of ITI’s commitment to community engagement through sports sponsorship, including the Junior Tennis Competition, Village Volleyball Tournament, and Port Moresby Cricket Association. 

A couple of competitions have been hosted this year, including the ITI Junior Tennis Challenger Series, featuring U-8, U-11, and U-16 age groups. The kids displayed their tennis skills and had fun in the three-series challenger. 

ITI has been backing tennis previously, but stopped its support a few years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic and poor economic conditions. However, the learning institute has come on board this year to renew its sponsorship, especially focusing on the junior competition.

“Previously, we have sponsored the junior competition, but for a little while, we did not sponsor it because of some reasons,”  ITI Chairman & Co-founder Dr. Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval said.

“However, with the new management under Barbara Stubbings and her executive team, we decided to support them again.”

Mr. Sentheyval added that ITI is happy to support the junior competition, saying: “It’s good to get the kids involved. We are supporting more things like the junior competition, and also supporting an Australian player.

“We are trying to get more into that and give the kids more opportunities to showcase their skills. This is part of our range of social services.”

Mr. Sentheyval revealed that ITI would continue its sponsorship for the junior competition next year, including its support for the Port Moresby Cricket Association and Village Volleyball Tournament.

Tournament Director Eddie Mera thanked ITI for its support, saying: “A big thank you to ITI for its outstanding support in 2025, and for announcing ITI as an official sponsor for the PNG Junior Open on November 1–2, 2025,” he said. 

“Special appreciation to Dr. Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval, Chairman and Co-founder of ITI, for joining us at the presentation.

“A big thank you to PNGTA and President Barbara Stubbings for their support, including the Baseline Tennis Academy PNG for playing a pivotal role in running the tournament.” 

The Papua New Guinea Tennis Association President, Barbara Stubbings, acknowledged the ITI for its continued sponsorship, stating: “ITI has been a strong partner in the past, and though the pandemic disrupted the sponsorship, we are happy to have them back this year.

“It’s wonderful for ITI, POM Racquets, and PNG tennis. The growing numbers show how many kids are engaging with the sport at the junior level, which is vital for our development.”

In addition to the junior series, ITI is also the minor sponsor for the upcoming PNG Junior Open in November, alongside major sponsor, the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL). This tournament serves as a key selection event for the West Pacific Regional Championships in Honiara next year.