Egypt is hosting the Petrosport International Women's Circuit, reports Ghada Abd El-Kader The Petrosport Company, in cooperation with the Egyptian Tennis Federation (ETF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), is holding the Petrosport International Women's Circuit from 21-30 March at the Qatameya Sporting Club and Sky Club in New Cairo City. Ninety-six athletes from 30 countries are taking part in the $10,000 tournament. The preliminary round has 64 participants, 32 of whom will qualify for the main draw according to a knockout system. Egypt is represented by Nihal Tarek. Morocco's Fatima Al-Allami and Jordanian Fatima Al-Nabhani, the first woman from the Gulf to participate in international circuits, are the players to watch for. When the women's circuits began in 1992, prize money for the circuit series was $20,000 a month. It later increased to $10,000 a week, after which for six weeks a year it totalled $60,000. A series of three championships are held in March and another three in November. The ITF Women's Circuit has five prize money levels: $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $75,000 and $100,000. "The $10,000 is very little so it doesn't attract the big names," Wa'el Abbas, ITF representative, said. "For example, the prize money of the Qatar tournament is very lucrative, so they attract the top eight ranked players in the world. I hope we can find sponsors for the sport and revive the glory of the Egyptian international tennis championship" which used to be held at Gezira Club. According to Abbas, the ETF is readying the Egyptian national team for the Fed Cup and Davis Cup. Meanwhile, the second Future international championship for women was held from 10-16 March at the Ain Sukhna Palmera courts. In the final, Russian Elena Chalova defeated Romanian Alexandra Cadantu 6-2, 6-3. Hossam El-Ganayani director of the championship, said Chalova had been awarded a wild card because she was not seeded. "But we gave her the wild card because she is making an impressive comeback to the circuit. Two years ago she dropped out of the world ranking because of injury."
