Women's Tennis Association Players Thrilled Spending Time With Autistic Children

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Four Women's Tennis Association (WTA) players were thrilled to have spent time with autistic children at Pusat Permata Kurnia here Tuesday. The players who visited the centre were from Australia, China and Malaysia. They are Australian players Ashleigh Barty, 20, and Casey Dellacqua, 32, Sai Sai Zheng, 23, of China and Malaysian Theiviyah Selvarajoo, 23. Dellacqua, 32, said she was very happy to see a centre which helped and nurtured children who are in need. "This place is perfect to give children with autism a better start, and making them feel more comfortable before heading to a public school," she told reporters after the two-hour visit. The director of the centre, Professor Dr Hasnah Toran, said nearly 300 autistic children, aged between three to seven years, had enrolled in the school which started operating only a year ago. It also has over 100 teachers to facilitate children with autism. "The players' visit will help highlight this issue because I believe it needs a national effort from everyone," she said. The players toured and joined the fun in several classes, while bringing smiles to the children with some gift bags and tennis rackets. The players are here for the ALYA Malaysian Open tennis championship. --BERNAMA