The International Training Institute (ITI) Junior Tennis competition concluded its second weekend on Saturday, 16 August 2025, with awards presented to its junior participants. Sponsored by ITI, the competition consists of three short events held over three weekends. This was its second weekend, and it will conclude next weekend. The competition comprises a total of 39 junior players from the following age groups: Under-8 boys and girls, Under-11 boys and girls, Under-13 boys and girls, and Under-16 boys and girls. The PNG Tennis President, Barbara Stubbings, commenting on the competition, commended ITI and pointed out that this is important for the junior development of the sport. “The numbers have gone up to 39 this time, so it’s growing, which is wonderful for ITI and also for POM Rackets and PNG Tennis. It shows the growth in the number of kids involved in the sport at the junior level and in our development.” Ms. Stubbings noted an improvement in the performance of the junior tennis players. “I’ve just been sitting here watching, and the hitting has improved out of sight. Where there used to be a lot of high, soft, loopy balls, now the kids are being more aggressive with their hitting. There’s more focus on what they want to do, so that means our coaches are doing the right thing as well,” Ms. Stubbings said. ITI Marketing Manager, Ms. Semirose Javillonar, said that as a Higher Education Institution accredited by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, sponsoring sports is one way of giving back to the community. “We sponsor a lot of sports like this: junior tennis, Village Volleyball, the POM Cricket Association, rugby football clubs, and many more.” Ms. Javillonar said that with ITI’s support, they aim to build and develop young athletes who may one day represent PNG in the world or the Pacific region. Ms. Stubbings said she has seen promising young talent emerging from the competition who are playing amazing tennis.