By Nangamso Mabindla
29 January 2008

PREPARATIONS for the R4-million South African Open, to be held in East London, are well on track, according to the chief executive of the South Africa Tennis Association (Sata), Ian Smith.

The tournament is sponsored by South African Airways, and will bring to the city some of the game's top names. Work to ensure that the Selborne Tennis Park is up to standard is under way, with the renovators expected to finish soon.

"The stadium will soon be finished and ready for action, and the transport to take the players from their hotels to the games is also taken care of. There are a few things that need to be taken care of, but I'm confident that by next week everything will be in place," Smith said.

It was important that everything was finalised before the players started arriving in East London. "Players will start arriving next week and we expect the international players from Europe and other places to arrive next week Friday; by that time everything will be in place."

Players who will be seen in East London include those who have played and won some of the game's Grand Slam tournaments. Leading the list of stars is the 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson, fellow Swede and nine times doubles Grand Slam winner Jonas Bjorkman, 2005 Wimbledon doubles winner Wesley Moodie of South Africa, and 2005 Australian Open doubles winner Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe.

However, the tournament will not only be about some of the best players in the game battling it out on the court. Youngsters from local schools and surrounding areas are also set to benefit.

From next week, Sata will host development clinics over four days. About 80 children are expected to attend.

The South African Open is taking place at the Selborne Tennis Park in East London from 12 to 17 February; it will be played in the city for the next three years.