MANY minor sports in the country lack sponsorship and tennis is no exception.
Tennis Fiji recently held an auction at the Nadi Sports & Social Club to raise funds for the national team’s trip to the Pacific Games.
More than $13,000 was collected from the auction of memorabilias.
Suresh Prasad, the managing director of Consumers Supermarket was one of those people who contributed handsomely during the event.
He is no stranger to the sport and is the vice-patron of Tennis Fiji.
Suresh was introduced to tennis by non other than inspirational sportsperson and administrator Bobby Tikaram at the Nadi Airport courts in 2001.
He slowly picked up the passion for the racquet game and got his wife Shakuntla involved as well.
There are not many husband and wife combinations that have excelled in sports but Suresh and Shakuntla have built a reputation for being the winning couple collecting many trophies and medals over the years.
Because of the hectic business schedule the Prasads do not have time to play any other sport.
“Since we are busy in business daily, we cannot take up more sports but tennis is ideal as we play in the afternoon daily,” he said.
“My wife and I have won many trophies in the mixed doubles events. My partner in the men’s doubles is Bob Fong and we also have a good record.
Suresh said his company had also been supporting rugby, soccer, netball and volleyball teams.
“We have been with Fiji Tennis for long and want the younger generation to come up in the sport,” he said.
“Since there is not much support for tennis my company will try to help out some way or the other. Tennis is an active sport and has a bright future.
“There are development programs held at the major centres. The children are taking the sport seriously with the support of their parents.”
Consumers Supermarket was set as a family business about 30 years ago and has grown with support from its loyal customers.
Suresh rates the annual Fiji Open Championship as one best in the region which has more than 30 events.
“The five-day tournament has grown bigger over the years with everyone looking forward to enjoy tough tennis,” he said.
“The way our national players impressed at the Fiji Open, I’m sure they will make the country proud at the Pacific Games.
Tennis Fiji president Richard Breen said Suresh was one of those working behind the scenes to see the growth of the sport in the country.
Breen said Suresh was at the Nadi Sports & Social Club daily playing tennis also against upcoming juniors on a regular basis.
“Suresh encourages them to join in with their competitive doubles matches,” he said.
“His achievements on the court are impressive winning again in his age category at the Fiji Open this year.
“This adds to his numerous other achievements reflected by the trophies displayed in his office.
“He is always the first to support all fundraising drives making personal donations to help the kids compete.
“In fact when he heard the team going to Cairns last year was struggling, he donated $2000 to help them get to Australia.”
Behind every successful man is strong intelligent woman and Shakuntla is no exception.
She is an avid tennis player accompanying her husband in all major tournaments.
“In Fiji where funds to develop the game are hard to come by, especially for minor sports, Suresh’s support especially financially are helping in the development,” Breen said.
“Although he won’t want to take any credit for it, the success of the local players at the recent Fiji Open has a lot to do with his support over the years.
“He was also one of the successful bidders at the recent auction we had and I truly believe the motivation was not solely for the picture but to help contribute to the team to PNG.”
Suresh/Shakuntla Tennis Record
2002 Club open mens/womens B and social titles; 2004/2005 Club open mens doubles titles, most active players award; 2006 Fiji Open mixed doubles 45years runner up;
2007 Fiji Open Age Group mens doubles title; 2008 Fiji Open Age Group mens doubles runner-up; 2009 Fiji Open Age Group mens doubles runner-up, Fiji Open Age Group womens doubles winner; 2010 Fiji Open Age Group mens doubles title; 2011 Fiji Open Age Group women’s double runner-up, Fiji Open Age Group mens singles runners-up; 2012 Fiji Open mixed doubles runner-up, Nadi Open mixed doubles title, Fiji Open Age Group men’s singles/doubles runner-up; 2013 Fiji Open mixed doubles title, Nadi Open men’s singles runner-up, Fiji Open Age Group men’s doubles runner-up; 2014 Fiji Open mixed doubles title, men’s doubles runner-up; 2015 Fiji Open Age Group mixed doubles, mens doubles and women doubles titles.
Nadi Business House Competition titles: 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2014 best dressed team, runner-up.
