Love Hualien Fengxing Cup ATF Asian 14U Youth Tennis Tournament Debuts

Central News Agency (CNA) reporter Li Xian-feng, Hualien, 14th – The 'Love Hualien Fengxing Cup' combined with the ATF Asian 14U Youth Tennis Tournament opened today in Hualien. Athletes from Taiwan, China, the Philippines, South Korea, the United States, Singapore, India, Canada, and Hong Kong are participating, making it an important hub for Asian youth tennis exchange through this competitive platform. The 'Love Hualien Fengxing Cup ATF HUALIEN 2026' is being held for the first time in conjunction with the 'ATF Asian U14 Junior Championships' from April 14 to 18 at the Hualien County Tennis Court. Hualien Mayor Wei Chia-yen attended the opening ceremony and stated that the continuous hosting of the Love Hualien Fengxing Cup not only promotes tennis but also serves as an important platform for marketing Hualien's sports tourism. This year's integration with the ATF international event is particularly significant, connecting Hualien with the world. It is hoped that through international competitions, more young athletes will start from Hualien and step onto the Asian and even world stages, while also driving local tourism and industrial development, allowing Hualien to continue shining in the international sports landscape. Wei Chia-yen pointed out that in addition to domestic players, young talents from multiple countries are competing, not only showcasing a vibrant atmosphere of sports exchange but also, because tennis is a popular sport, hosting events can enhance the local sports culture and allow more people to see Hualien's beautiful environment and event energy. The city hall will continue to support various sports activities to create a city brand of 'sports tourism, slow-paced city life.' Zheng Guang-you, chairman of the Kaohsiung City Tennis Promotion Association, said that this year's Fengxing Cup is different from previous years. Last year focused on domestic promotional events, but this year, for the first time, it introduced the ATF international youth event. Participants are under 14 years old from various countries, and the competition intensity and level have increased, with results counting towards international rankings, which is a very valuable experience for athletes. Cao Bang-quan, a parent from Taipei, shared that his child usually participates in domestic competitions. Upon learning that the ATF Asian Youth Tournament was held in Hualien this time, he specifically registered. This not only saves the cost of competing abroad but also allows for exchange and learning with athletes from various countries, which greatly benefits their skills and horizons. He also thanked Hualien City for actively promoting sports development. This event is divided into U14 boys' and girls' groups, and also includes red ball group (U8), orange ball group (U9), green dot ball group (U10), U12 group, and various UTR-graded singles and doubles categories, providing opportunities for players of different ages and skill levels. The organizers stated that through diverse grouping and competition formats, athletes will have more opportunities to compete and accumulate practical experience. (Editor: Zhang Ming-kun) 1150414