Date:27/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/27/stories/2003112701481900.htm

Sport - Tennis

ITN launched in India

By Our Sports Reporter

Bangalore Nov. 26. The International Tennis Number (ITN) — a grading system to define a players' general level of play — was launched in India at a function held at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) premises here on Wednesday evening.

Dave Miley, Executive Director, Development, International Tennis Federation, launched the ITN in India by presenting a `Rating of seven' certificate to the State Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, who is also the President of the KSLTA.

"The idea behind the ITN is to have a common language in tennis. The aim is to have each and every player in the World to have an ITN so that a certain level of compatibility is established between the players. Tennis is always fun when played between players with compatible levels. A player holding an ATP/WTA ranking would obviously have an ITN rating of one while a player just starting out will be rated at ten. India is the fifth Country that has adopted ITN. Australia was the first Nation to implement ITN," said Miley.

The KSLTA was also honoured with the inaugural All India Tennis Federation's `Achievement' award, which was handed over to Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and to the association secretary Sunder Raju.

"We thought it is time we reward ourselves and though it must be admitted that we have a number of active State associations promoting tennis, the KSLTA has gone one step ahead, hosting International tournaments and raising the quality of tennis, hosting four ITF Challengers in a single year, hosting junior and senior tournaments and the association here richly deserves this award," said Anil Khanna, Secretary, All India Tennis Association (AITA).

A three-day coaches work shop will also be held at the KSLTA from Thursday. Miley will make a presentation on the ITN here on the inaugural day. "If in the next few years we can have around a hundred thousand coaches and assistant coaches registered with the AITA, I think it would be a great achievement and would help in promoting the sport," said Anil Khanna.