Duta Tennis Academy launches 'Project Dream' for young athletes

KUALA LUMPUR – Duta Tennis Academy hosted its highly anticipated event, opening the session with a prize-giving ceremony to honour the champion and top performers of the Discovery Open tournament before officially unveiling its landmark initiative, "Project Dream."

The newly launched project aims to pave a clear pathway for young Malaysian athletes to train at the world-renowned IMG Academy in Florida, United States.

Duta Tennis Academy co-director and manager Rajani Kurumaloo said the initiative was designed to give local talents access to world-class sports training, holistic personal growth and international exposure.

Addressing the financial hurdles associated with overseas training, Rajani shared that the academy is taking deliberate steps to ensure promising players are not excluded due to background or income limitations.

During the Discovery Open, the academy sponsored eight players, several of whom went on to secure champion titles.

Whilst the initiative currently focuses on Duta's own players, the academy hopes to expand its support to a broader pool of athletes as the programme grows.

Duta Tennis Academy co-director and manager Rajani Kurumaloo.

“We decided to initiate Project Dream with our own players first to see how it goes.

“If it goes well, we hope to sponsor more players beyond our academy in the future,” she said.

Beyond physical preparation, sending young athletes halfway across the globe presents a significant mental test.

Rajani noted that facing culture shock and intense competition at a world-class facility is a central purpose of the trip, as it pushes young players out of their comfort zones.

She highlighted that the academy prioritises character development, discipline and self-reliance just as much as sporting performance, aiming to build long-term confidence whether the athletes pursue professional tennis or excel in other career paths.

“We are so accustomed to the comfort of our usual environment, believing it to be enough. But when you arrive there, you encounter hundreds of exceptionally talented players in a world-class facility,” she said.

She added that documenting the journey to Florida serves a dual purpose for the academy.

It acts as an inspirational tool for aspiring young sportspeople whilst attracting essential corporate sponsorship.

She stressed that corporate support is vital to making this pathway sustainable, calling on sponsors to help make this dream a reality for local athletes.

"Working together creates a mutual benefit so sponsors, come and support Project Dream. Let us make it a reality,” she said.

For players who did not secure a spot this year, the academy views the inaugural Discovery Open as a key step towards building awareness within the local sports community.

Rajani expressed hope that state associations and external bodies will step in to support talents whose needs exceed what a private academy can provide.