LTA and Sport England’s funding injection for tennis in Tower Hamlets

Tennis fever is sweeping across Tower Hamlets ahead of this summer’s Wimbledon, with the launch of a new community tennis programme in the borough.

The scheme has received funding to the tune of �125,000 from the council, the Lawn Tennis Association and Sport England, which has gone towards upgrading the tennis courts in Victoria Park and Bethnal Green Gardens.

The aim is to encourage more residents of the borough to take up tennis, and Mayor Lutfur Rahman is determined to involve as many people as possible in London’s Olympic summer.

He said: “With the Olympic and Paralympic Games just round the corner residents in Tower Hamlets have a wealth of sporting opportunities to get involved in. Tennis is a great way to get fit and the open day will give residents a chance to try it out for themselves.”

Lead member for culture, councillor Rania Khan, said: “I hope to see budding Roger Federers and Maria Sharapovas trying out the refurbished courts at Bethnal Green Gardens which will be a real asset to the borough.”

The launch will be marked by an open day on Sunday (June 24) from 11am until 3pm at Bethnal Green Gardens.