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Nazvi Careem

THE sponsor of Hong Kong's major world-ranking tennis tournament has given a vote of confidence to embattled sports promoters Spectrum.

 John Drolette, general manager of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco International (HK) Ltd, sponsors of the Salem Hong Kong Open, said he has full confidence in the company to run next year's event.

 It was recently revealed that Spectrum were being investigated by tennis' governing body, the Association of Tennis Professionals, after cutting their ties with the Kuala Lumpur and Hawaii Open tournaments.

 The Hong Kong company also closed their offices in Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo and last week were axed as promoters for the Asia-Pacific Golf Federation's Asian Tour.

 But Drolette said: 'As far as we are concerned, our relationship with Spectrum is as strong as ever. Whatever happens in Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo is really nothing to do with us. As far as the Hong Kong tournament is concerned, it is alive and well.'   Salem, who also sponsor this week's Asian Championships at Victoria Park, have been involved in the Hong Kong Open since its inception in 1990.

  And Drolette expects the partnership with Spectrum to continue.

  'We are looking forward to working with Spectrum in 1995. We are already making plans for the 1996 tournament,' he said.

  Drolette said the sponsorship contract for the tournament is valid until 1997.

  Last month, the ATP said that they were investigating the activities of Spectrum, who they felt were not acting in the best interests of the professional circuit.

  The ATP said that Spectrum had withheld prize money of US$400,000 for the Kuala Lumpur event.

  Last week, Spectrum said that this money had now been paid.

  The ATP added that, although next year's Salem Open will go ahead, their ongoing investigations may put a question mark on the long-term future of the tournament.

  But Drolette would not comment on the ATP's investigations.

  'I have not heard anything about that,' he said. 'To be honest, I don't know much more so I really can't comment.'   Spectrum started out in 1989 as tennis promoters, but expanded into other sports such as volleyball, table tennis and golf.

  But their golf involvement was significantly reduced last week when the APGC, in a meeting in Macau, decided against continuing their contract with Spectrum, who failed to secure a title sponsor for the Asian Tour.

      Spectrum were employed by the golfing body in 1992 and their contract was not due to expire until 1997. Newsweek International, who sponsored the 1994 Tour, decided against taking up the option to continue next year.



Open sponsor rallies round HK promoter