Yahoo News 
Kuwait court tennis' top stars with plans for impressive new complex
Kuwait has placed itself “on the world’s tennis map” after the state-of-the-art Sheikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah International Tennis Complex was officially announced on Monday.
The substantial KWD100 million (Dh1.21 billion) expansion by Tamdeen Group of 360 MALL will twin retail, sports, hotel and entertainment facilities in South Surra.
The tennis complex – which is expected to open in 2019 – will boast combined stadium seating for more than 7,600 people across two main arenas – with the capacity to hold 4,000 and 1,600 people respectively – as well as eight indoor courts with more than 500 seats and eight outdoor courts with 1,500 seats.
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Such investment is set to see the country join the UAE and Qatar inbeing host to leading international tennis events, starting with the projected arrival of the ATP Champions Tour in four years.
“The Sheikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al International Tennis Complex will become one of the world’s best tennis facilities in line with International Tennis Federation and Association of Tennis Professionals standards, thus putting Kuwait on the world’s tennis map,” said Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaber Al Abdullah Al Sabah said at Tamdeen Group headquarters.
Al Sabah is President of the Kuwait Tennis Federation, President of the Arab Tennis Federation and Chairman of the Asian Tennis Federation.
“We are drawing on the best of designs from similar tennis facilities globally and will provide Kuwaitis with playing conditions that will match the world’s best. The layout and number of courts are inherently flexible and the facilities will all conform to the very best standards set internationally by the ITF and the ATP," he added.
“We will host tournaments and championships run by these prestigious organisations, along with local and regional competitions.”
Local development is a key part of the plan, with a tennis club set to be established which will boost Kuwaiti sportspeople. The nation currently competes in the Davis Cup’s Asia/Oceania Zone Group II, first taking part in 1989.
The 360 MALL is owned by a subsidiary of Tamdeen Shopping Centers Company, which is part of the Tamdeen Group which possesses assets valued at more than $4 billion.
Estimates for the expansion – which will see a bridge link the mall and tennis complex – have stated footfall will increase by at least 30 per cent to more than 18 million visitors. The sports facilities will also be used for a variety of entertainment events and activities throughout the year.
Tamdeen Group chairman Mohammed Jassim Al Marzouq declared the scale of the plan was unprecedented.
He said: “This will be the first time in the world that retail, sports and entertainment come together under one roof and on this scale.
“We are committed to Kuwait and to the development of tennis in Kuwait which we believe is a sport where the country excels.
“The main tennis arena when not being utilised for tournaments will serve as an entertainment anchor for 360 MALL and provide a venue for leisure and recreation with a year-long calendar of events and activities.”
