Mitsuji Konoshita a Japanese Millionaire Backing Academy In Cambodia

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 12th December 2013

Mitsuji Konoshita a Japanese Millionaire Backing Academy In Cambodia

epa00588144 Shadow of Indonesia's Wynne Prakusya as she returns a ball against Indonesia's Romana Tedjakusama in the women's tennis final at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila on Saturday 03 December 2005. Prakusya won the gold for Indonesia, 6-0, 6-3. EPA/DENNIS M. SABANGAN |

Mitsuji Konoshita, the president of the Cambodia-based GL Finance, and former circuit player from Japan, is ready to build a multimillion- tennis academy in Cambodia.

There have never been any notable touring pros from Cambodia, but that could change. Konoshita wants to model the academy on his own experiences training at Harry Hopman’s in Tampa, Florida, and at Nick Bollettieri’s in Bradenton.

GL Finance has sponsored the Cambodian Davis Cup team as well as two ITF men’s Futures.

“I have seen so many countries, but I love Cambodia, especially its rural landscape,” Konoshita told the Cambodia Post. “And as for as the environment for tennis goes, there is no better place. To me the academy is a personal dream and my idea of creating the best possible opportunities for young, motivated, emerging Cambodian talent.”

Konoshita has brought in another former Japanese player, Hideki Kaneko to shortlist venues and draw up a roadmap. Kaneko runs academies in Singapore and Thailand that are under GL’s umbrella. GL also runs five tennis academies in Japan.

“What I am looking at is an academy with 20 to 30 courts, a team of good coaches, an integrated school for players to pursue their education while training, a dormitory to house them and specialized gyms for working out,” said Konoshita said, who is targeting a facility in the city of Kep. “Of course there will be other recreational sports facilities as well. The cost of the project could be anywhere between $10 million and $20 million.”

Konoshita is also a major backer of the Tennis Federation of Cambodia and has helped fund the Futures tournaments, but says that he is not looking for profit.

“Quite honestly, for me, sponsoring tennis is not a business proposition,” he said. “I’m not looking for any mileage for my company. The mileage I seek is for the cause of tennis. If that is served, my investment is worthwhile….[My wish is to] see the national team do well in the Davis Cup, more tennis talents to emerge and at least one or two players make it to the upper crust of the game. It may sound tough but it is not impossible.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Cambodia, Davis Cup, GL Finance, Hideki Kaneko, Itf, Mitsuji Konoshita, Nick Bollottieri, Tennis, Tennis News

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