Date:28/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/28/stories/2005012802520500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Sania an `Ambassador of girl child'

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD, JAN.27. The talk of the nation, Sania Mirza, arrived in the city to a quiet reception. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajsekhara Reddy, declared her as the `Ambassador of the girl child' within hours of her arrival. "We are very keen on utilising the Hyderabad WTA Open as a platform to launch a series of programmes for girl child and women," he told the audience.

Well, Indian women's tennis is starved of even decent performances in big international events. And, when the Hyderabad girl created history to become the only Indian woman ever to reach the third round of a Grand Slam (in the Australian Open last week), the warmth and love for the teenage tennis sensation she got from her ex-school students was perhaps understandable. Chants of "Sania Sania, welcome the queen of tennis" reverberated at the Hyderabad Airport entrance.

Security at airport

For strict security reasons and also since the Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar, also arrived around the same time, the usual traditional welcome to the champion tennis player was missing as no one was allowed inside the airport lounge. But, a few well-wishers ensured that she board a flower-decked open top jeep and made to feel that her outstanding feat was duly recognised. "I feel the reception was really special, much bigger than what I got when I came back after winning the Junior Wimbledon doubles title," acknowledged Sania. No doubt, there were more media persons than any enthusiastic fans around the airport. And predictably, the jeep whizzed past the horde of mediapersons in a hurry straight to the Governor's residence. There was a jarring note too when the unrecognised but newly appointed SAAP Chairman, M.S. Raj Thakur, had to step down from the jeep as the family members of Sania jostled for space as the convoy moved out of the airport zone.

"You really played well in the second set. Next time you should beat Serena Williams," remarked Governor, Sushil Kumar Shinde. Apparently, following Sania's march in the Australia Open and the post third round developments, he reminded that it was good to hear those words of appreciation for Sania from Serena Williams.

Then, Sania was escorted to the Chief Minister, Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy's official chambers at the Secretariat. "You have done our country and the State in particular very proud. We wish that next time when you meet these world-class players like Serena (Williams) you win against them," he said amidst applause from Sania's parents and well-wishers.

First wild card entry

Not surprisingly, Globosport, the event managers of Hyderabad WTA Open, are keen to cash in on the popularity graph of Hyderabad's

best-known face in the world of tennis Sania - by declaring that she has been given the first wild card entry for the prestigious event. "She has announced her arrival on the international circuit thanks to WTA Open. And so why not give her special treatment in view of her tremendous showing in Australian Open," remarked J. Geetha Reddy, Tourism Minister. No questions on that count, certainly!