Date:14/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/14/stories/2008091459511700.htm

Sport - Tennis

Ban on under-14 ball boys and girls

HYDERABAD: Ball boys and girls have been an integral part of the tennis courts the world over, but there is a ban on their employment in India, if they happen to be less than 14 years of age.

The Child Labour Act, a national law, has been cited by Hyderabad Collector Navin Mittal when issuing a notice to clubs of the Twin Cities with tennis facilities, prohibiting employment of children under-14 on a full-time, part-time, casual or even hourly basis.

Employment in this context implies children receiving remuneration for being engaged in ball-picking duties on a tennis court. This ruling will be applicable to the ITF junior tennis tournament which gets under way at the SAAP tennis complex, Lal Bahadur Stadium, here on Monday.

Praveen Bhargava, Tournament Director, said: “All the ball boys and girls employed by the AP Lawn Tennis Association are over 14 years of age. Since the rule is clear on the age limit, it will not scare away those who are interested in the job,” he added. — Special Correspondent