Sport - Tennis

AITA brings Rohan, Sania under one-year sponsorship

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE May 2. The All India Tennis Association is breaking new ground in its effort to support and nurture emerging talent. In a pioneering move, the AITA has brought Rohan Bopanna of Karnataka and Sania Mirza of Andhra Pradesh under an extensive one-year sponsorship programme.

The entire expenses involved in travelling and playing international tournaments and other support costs of the two players would be met by the AITA. The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association would be supplementing AITA in this programme to defray the costs incurred towards Rohan Bopanna. It is estimated that supporting an individual at this level would require a budget of Rs.30 lakh over a period of 12 months.

Mr. Anil Khanna, Secretary General of the AITA said Harsh Mankad has also been brought under this programme through the Maharashtra State body. He said several prominent youngsters have been shortlisted for such support in future. Mr. Khanna said this grandiose plan is part of AITA's continuous quest to support and nurture talent at all levels of the game through State Associations.

Mr. Khanna was all praise for KSLTA, which he said, could be banked upon for any tennis promotional activities at any time blessed as it is with magnificent infrastructure and an enthusiastic band of office bearers.

Support for Rohan in the coming years would also be at hand subject to the Karnataka player achieving targets set jointly by his coach Krisha Bhupathi and the AITA-KSLTA combine.

Mr. Krishna Bhupathi said elobarate plans have been worked out for Rohan who is expected to play a series of tournaments in Europe and America in the next five years. Rohan is likely to be accompanied on this programme by Indian Davis Cupper Srinath.

Mr. C.S.Sunder Raju, Secretary, KSLTA said the State association was proud to be associated with a progressive step like this. He said the KSLTA has been a strong proponent of the programmes and schemes that help development of the game across the State. He said Nike is the first sponsor from the city to agree to support Rohan through this programme.

Rohan was picked on the strength of his excellent performances over the past year at National level as also in ITF level tournaments. Mr. Khanna said the programme would help Rohan concentrate on his tennis and establish himself as an international player.

The 21-year old Rohan was a member of the Davis Cup team against Lebanon in February this year. He also figured in the team that beat New Zealand at Wellington in April. His biggest success so far came at the ITF Ftures in New Delhi where he won both the singles and the doubles.

Ranked second in India, Rohan has 44 ATP points for a world ranking of 496 which he hopes to improve in the next six months, given the massive logistical and monetary support pledged by the AITA.

Last year Sania Mirza caused a sensation when she stepped on to the haloed Wimbledon courts at the age of 14 and won a round, she being the first from the country in 50 years to participate on the top of being the youngest in the draw.

She has already won six singles ITF under 18 titles apart from seven doubles events. She has also taken part in the US Open and the Australian Open. For the last two years, Sania has been nationally ranked No. 1 in both the under 18 singles and doubles.

Later, speaking to The Hindu, Rohan Bopanna said that onus was on him to justify the faith reposed by KSLTA and AITA. " It has taken a heavy load off me in fnancial terms and I can suggest concentrate on playing my best '', said Rohan. Sania , who is gearing up for the Junior Fed Cup , said that the sponsorship meant a lot to her. "I will give my best shot''.

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