[Stevens Point]

www.foxsports.com

Federer advocates more tourney play in Africa
09.21.2005

GENEVA (AP) - More top-level tennis tournaments in Africa would raise awareness of the continent's problems and help promote the sport, the top-ranked Roger Federer said Wednesday.

"I think maybe (there should be) more tournaments in Africa, if not exhibitions," Federer said. "There's one in Morocco. Maybe we can do some further south."

The Swiss tennis star, who won the U.S. Open earlier this month, is able to focus on humanitarian activities after recently signing with management agency IMG.

"What I wish from tennis is that the players unite more than try to do everything individually," Federer said.

"We play all around the world, which gives us a great opportunity to be everywhere."

Federer was speaking as an ambassador for the U.N. International Year of Sport at a press conference. The U.N. General Assembly designated 2005 as the year to encourage sport to promote education, health, development and peace.

Federer has set up a foundation in South Africa, where his mother is from, to help children receive a better education and two hot meals a day. He said tennis commitments that occupy him for 11 months a year prevent him from expanding into other countries.

"If I am there, it can sometimes have a very different impact," Federer said. "I can inspire people."

Adolf Ogi, special adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and a former president of Switzerland, said that sport could build bridges - like South Korea and Japan co-hosting the 2002 World Cup.

When the Pakistan cricket team toured India recently, the leaders of the two nations arranged a meeting, Ogi noted.

"Sport can test what is possible for the politician," Ogi said. "Sport is an instrument, an important instrument for a better world."

 

[Stevens Point]

Yeah, I hope there are more tournaments in Africa, for a better world, as Mr. Ogi says.

 

[Brizio]

I think playing more in Africa can benefit to everyone. First of all, it would bring an international focus on the hosting country, which could generate funds in order to developp Tennis or sport in general there. It would allow poor children to dream about the best players as we do, as they must be a very limited coverage there.

And then it would be a great opportunity for tennis to get a little more exotic.

However, it's not that easy to organise an ATP tournament. Organizers are really demanding, particulary on safety. An easy solution would be to play in the richest country, but, tell me if I'm wrong, that's not the point...
It's an interesting but tricky question which deserves to be considered by ATP managers...

 

[Fergie]

Good idea!

I hope that they can do it soon

 

[hablovah19]

great idea roger federer

 

[PaulieM]

it's a great idea

 

[alfonsojose]

Sadly, it's all about money :shrug:

 

[nermo]

great idea Roger, this really gives a view of how everything a person does can be useful when he believes in it,of course, there 're lots of difficulties for such a thing to take place, but i think it needs a try..

 

[onewoman74]

I bet you by in the next two years there will be an ATP tournie in Sub-Saharan Africa...Fed will see to it!!

 

[nobama]

Roger said this is one of the reasons he hooked up with IMG. So who knows, maybe working with IMG they can get something going in Africa, or South Africa at least. That would be cool. In the press conference it was said that Roger would continue as spokesperson for "International Year of Sport and Physical Education 2005" and that the name might be changed.

I think you can download press conferences here:
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/httpListenDownload?ReadForm&type=press&expand=1

 

[delsa]

That's great use to do of your popularity, Roger! I hope they'll listen to you.

 

[propi]

Maybe he could play Casablanca next year

 

[PaulieM]

Roger said this is one of the reasons he hooked up with IMG. So who knows, maybe working with IMG they can get something going in Africa, or South Africa at least. That would be cool. In the press conference it was said that Roger would continue as spokesperson for "International Year of Sport and Physical Education 2005" and that the name might be changed.

I think you can download press conferences here:
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/httpListenDownload?ReadForm&type=press&expand=1

interesting thanks

 

[shotgun]

South Africa would be an interesting spot. There's a good structure to sport events there, and the tradition in tennis is big compared to other african countries.

 

[oneandonlyhsn]

:yippee: I love this idea, I hope they can implement it

 

[Dirk]

I wonder what event would close to set up this one. I hope it's a success though when it does happen and Roger wins it several times.

 

[naiwen]

South Africa would be an interesting spot. There's a good structure to sport events there, and the tradition in tennis is big compared to other african countries.

They can even combine tennis with safari. It'd be interesting if the stadium is surrounded by wild animals like lions, elephants, panthers, giraffes, etc.

 

[oneandonlyhsn]

They can even combine tennis with safari. It'd be interesting if the stadium is surrounded by wild animals like lions, elephants, panthers, giraffes, etc.

Are you for real South Africa has a good appreciation for tennis compared to most other African ****ries. The fact that Johannesburg is a city which is well known for hosting a large successful number of sporting events would make it even better

 

[NYCtennisfan]

You used to have the tournies in Johanesburg and in Cairo in days gone by.

 

[nermo]

are you for real ? South Africa has a good appreciation for tennis compared to most other African countries. The fact that Johannesburg is a city which is well known for hosting a large successful number of sporting events would make it even better posted by oneandonlyhsn

u used to have the tournies in Johanesburg and in Cairo in days gone by.posted by NYCtennisfan

that's true , Johannesburg has organized many successful sport events before, it's considered one of the most beautiful cities in Africa,and i think Roger might be concerning south Africa specifically, and it won't be that difficult to be held there,as they have the primitive facilities, Morroco is organizing tennis tourneys too, but i think, Federer's team might be looking for somewhere more deeply involved with the message he wants to send about both Africa and tennis
As for Egypt,yes it has been organizing some sport events too..still doing it actually..unfortunately not for tennis, they 're mainly for handball ,volley..and Squash tourneys which takes place in Hurghada..