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CULTURE

Welcome to the

Club International de Tennis

A sports and culture "hub" right at the centre of international Geneva

Interview with Mr. Ahmed Laouyane, President of the CIT

It is not a question about "boosting" but rather to come up with the facts. At the recent UN
Games held in Malaga (Spain) the Geneva UN tennis team came first. Most of the players

of the UN team and the teams from other Geneva-based organizations are nevertheless all

members of the International Tennis Club (CIT). Claiming that the CIT (the "Inter" as they
call it) is a "special" club. Being of the curious sort we wanted to know what is it that makes

the CIT so special, so we went to meet Mr. Ahmed Laouyane, a former Director at ITU and

now the President of the Club. He took of his time to show us around and to give us answers
to all our numerous questions. So now we will leave the floor to Mr. Laouyane...

Q: So what is so special dared internationalist John D. Rocke- area" for the League of Nations, free
about the International feller Jr. purchased the "Campagne from speculation. In other words, he
Tennis Club? Rigot" property. The Club was first wanted to ensure that the nature of
The International Tennis Club is one located there. Rockefeller when buy- the park and the facilities could not
of the oldest tennis clubs in Geneva, ing the land declared that purpose be changed. In 1942 the property was
and was established by staff members was that it should be used for scien- donated to the University of Geneva,
of the League of Nations and the ILO. tific, cultural and sports activities and under the specific condition that the
In 1930, the philanthropist and de- should preserved as a "surrounding original purpose be maintained, in-
cluding the preservation of the tennis
club (this condition was specifically
FRENCH- GERMAN - ENGLISH - ITALIAN - SPANISH - CHINESE
,.-'- mentioned in the deed).
.-,-, P
( ECOLE VARADI SA ars ç
>- In addition, the Club has always been
z
Around a language in 80 hours closely affiliated with the institutions
of international Geneva, and partic-
French' English' German • Russian + 33 languages
ularly the United Nations. After the
Personalized programs from 1 to 20 lessons per week: Second World War, the UN, as "suc-
0
adults • adolescents • children cessor" of the League of Nations took
Special programs for companies, banks, organizations
upon itself the role of "trustee" for
School support and motivation in all subjects: the Club. It inherited, so to say, the
Math • French • German ' English • all languages 1 "droit de disposition" over the Cam-
Preparation for English and French schooling
pagne Rigot.
Specialized pedagogy for gifted children, ADHD, dyslexia
However, when in 2001 the UN de-
Secretarial Diploma in 3 to 12 months
Flexible schedule from 7 am to 10 pm - 7 days a week cided "not to object" to the construc-
tion of the Ecole Sismondi on the
First lesson without commitment
land occupied by the Club, their ac-
quiescence was a clear violation of the
32, avenue de Frontenex - 1207 Genève
www.ecole-varadi.ch conditions established by J.D. Rock-

022 736 28 74 www.varadischoo1.com efeller Jr. The Club was then forced
to relocate, and then it moved to its

38 DIVA - INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT