Date:12/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071253921900.htm

Sport - Tennis

No dearth of talent: Bhupathi

Principal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The U.S.-bound Indian tennis players received a shot in the arm with Mahesh Bhupathi extending his support for the scholarship programme offered by the American Universities.

Allaying criticism that India would lose good players, Bhupathi said that University scholarship was a stepping stone towards brighter future, either in sports or in academics.

“Guys who are taking scholarships are going there on the power of their achievements in tennis and there is no reason to fear that they would give up on the sport,” Bhupathi, who himself benefited from the American tennis scholarship, said.

MoU signed

Bhupathi was here to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Limited, a real estate developer, to establish tennis academies in 16 Ansal townships across northern India.

Speaking after announcing the tie-up between his company, Globosport, and Ansal API, Bhupathi said that he was a big believer in the scholarship system. Bhupathi tipped Somdev Dev Varman, who recently won the NCAA men’s singles title playing for the University of Virginia, as the player to watch on the professional tour.

Following Somdev’s exploits, Sanam K. Singh also decided to take up U.S. scholarship.

“If they are good enough they will excel in tennis,” he said.

Bhupathi said that there was no dearth of talent, but the Indians lacked mental training.

“One needs to be tough mentally to take on the challenge on the professional tour and perform in front of a big crowd,” he said.

On Sania Mirza, Bhupathi said he had hopes that the World No.38 would achieve big in the near future.

“She is only 20 and has time on her side,” Bhupathi said and added that Sania played good tennis despite her second round loss at the Wimbledon.