NEC extends sponsorship of wheelchair tennis for three years

London, Jan 26, 2015: The ITF announced today that it has renewed its sponsorship agreement with NEC Corporation as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and as an Official Partner of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour through 2017.

NEC has been a sponsor of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour since its inception in 1992, and recently celebrated 22 years as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, the ITF’s year-end wheelchair championship. The 2014 NEC Masters was held in London, 24-30 November. NEC has had a sponsorship relationship with the ITF since 1980 when it became title sponsor of Fed Cup.

Following the great success of the 2014 edition, the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will remain in Great Britain for the next two years at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, venue of the London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event. The tournament will continue to be hosted by the Tennis Foundation.

The ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour originated in 1992 with 11 international tournaments, but has grown to its current total of over 160 tournaments in more than 40 countries offering $2million in prize money. The Tour includes the wheelchair tennis events at all four Grand Slam tournaments. The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters was started in 1994 as the official year-end singles championship for the sport’s leading players, and currently features the top eight men and women, and top four quad athletes.

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The ITF has been partnered successfully with NEC for over 35 years and we thank them for their ongoing support as a dedicated and enthusiastic partner of the ITF’s wheelchair tennis activities. NEC was honoured by the ITF with the prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award in 2001 for their great contributions to tennis and, more than a decade later, they continue to give to our sport through their sponsorship of the NEC Wheelchair Masters and as a partner of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour.”

Takashi Niino, Senior Executive Vice President, NEC Corporation, said: “NEC is proud and excited to continue its support of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and the Tour tournaments that enable athletes from all over the world to showcase their skills. NEC will continue making efforts to draw attention to the skill and power of these world-class athletes.”

About the International Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the world governing body of tennis, one of the few truly global sports. The objective of the ITF is to further grow and develop the sport worldwide; to develop the game at all levels at all ages for both able-bodied and disabled men and women; to make, amend and uphold the rules of the game, to promote the International Team Championships and competitions of the ITF; to preserve the integrity and independence of tennis as a sport; and to perform all without discrimination on grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age, sex or religion.

The ITF has 210 member National Associations – more than most other international sporting federations. Member nations come from every continent, and each association is involved in organising tennis and promoting the interests of the game.

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2015 NEC Corporation. —- ITF

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