NEC Celebrates 20 Years as Wheelchair Tennis Masters Sponsor

*** For immediate use November 8, 2013


NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) is celebrating 20 years as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, taking place this week in Mission Viejo, California. NEC has sponsored the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour since its inception in 1992, and this week celebrates 20 years as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) year-end singles championship for 20 of the world's top ranked wheelchair tennis players.

Moreover, NEC aims to renew its agreement with the ITF as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and as an Official Partner of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour for 2014.

The 2014 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will be held in Great Britain for the first time, at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, venue of the London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event, on 24-30 November.

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 featuring over $1.5 million 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: "We are grateful for the ongoing support of NEC Corporation, which has been a dedicated and enthusiastic partner of the ITF's wheelchair tennis activities. Wheelchair tennis has become one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports, culminating in the success of London 2012, and we delighted that next year's NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will become one of the first events to return to the Olympic Park."

Tsuyoshi Horinouchi, General Manager, CSR and Environmental Management Promotion Division, NEC Corporation, said: "The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters features the sport's most talented athletes competing against one another at the top of their game. NEC is proud to support these exciting events that enable athletes from all over the world to showcase their skills."

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-utilise 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 www.nec.com.