The 31st Rajshahi International Under-18 Junior Tennis Championship began at the Rajshahi Tennis Complex on Monday, with more than 100 players from 10 countries taking part.
The six-day tournament, organised at the Rajshahi Tennis Complex, features players from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Nepal, Japan, China, South Korea and the United States.
The event was inaugurated in the morning with the release of balloons and cake cutting. Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Md Yousuf Ali chaired the inaugural ceremony.
Addressing the event, Yousuf said hosting an international junior tennis tournament in Rajshahi was a matter of pride and would encourage young players to pursue sports.
“Such competitions help young players develop discipline, mental strength and the courage to face challenges,” he said.
Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman rioton welcomed the foreign players and their parents and assured them of the city corporation's support during their stay in Rajshahi.
Bangladesh Tennis Federation General Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Karen said the Rajshahi Tennis Complex had been successfully hosting the international tournament for years.
He urged Bangladeshi players to make the most of the opportunity to compete against foreign players on home soil.
Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam said the tournament would allow young players to gain international-level experience and test their skills against competitors from different countries.
Rajshahi Development Authority Chairman Md Abul Kalam Azad, Additional Divisional Commissioner Habibur Rahman, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Faizul Kabir and Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General Mohammad Ashik Sayeed also attended the inauguration.
Tournament Director Hasinur Rahman Tinku delivered the welcome address.
According to the organisers, the boys' and girls' singles events each have 32-player draws, while the doubles events have 16 pairs each.
Thailand's Likul Patcharaphul is the highest-ranked player in the boys' event, while India's Sheikh Shajfa is the top-ranked player in the girls' event.
Five players from Rajshahi are participating in the tournament, with Rakin Rahman and Bokul Ali featuring in the main draw.
Indian ITF-approved White Badge referee Joy Mukherjee is serving as the tournament referee.
The tournament will conclude on October 10. Organisers said the competition would provide Bangladeshi juniors with an important opportunity to gain international exposure and assess their skills against players from different countries.
