Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

City to host major men’s tennis tourney in Dec.

Raring to go: Players participating in the AITA Super Series VMC Tournament for Boys and Girls (Under-16) at the inaugural function of the tournament in Vijayawada on Monday.

VIJAYAWADA: Municipal Commissioner P.S. Pradyumna on Monday said the city would witness a major men’s tennis tourney in December and also promised to bring in an international tournament with the help of Krishna District Lawn Tennis Association (KDLTA).

Speaking at the inaugural function of the AITA Super Series VMC Tournament for Under-16 Boys and Girls, Mr. Pradyumna said the city needed three more synthetic courts to host major events apart from the existing three courts at IGMC Stadium.

“We have identified two clay courts at Officers Club and we would like to lay synthetic courts there. With the permission of the Commissioner of Police, we would also like to lay a court at the police commissionerate. As the Municipal Corporation has already spent Rs. 60 lakh for the new tennis complex, we seek the help of the philanthropists to come forward in laying the proposed new courts,” he said.

Mr. Pradyumna said the Corporation was promoting all sports and games in its jurisdiction. “As per the request of the athletic association, we have identified a ground at Ajit Singh Nagar to promote athletics,” he said. He thanked the VMC engineers and the AITA technical staff for taking pains in laying the three synthetic courts which, he said, were of international standards. The required permission to construct the galleries had already been given.

KDLTA president K. Pattabhi Ramaiah regretted that tennis activity in the city had hit a new low and sought the appointment of a senior coach to inspire the youngsters in taking up the game seriously.

“Once upon a time, Vijayawada’s Gymkhana Club was the hub of tennis activities, where best of the national and international players played,” he recollected.

Commissioner of Police K. V. Rajendranath Reddy was introduced to all the players by the organising committee.

District Sports Development Officer B. Sudhakar, Andhra Pradesh Tennis Association president Raja Narasimha Rao, corporators S.P. Gritton, Bahadur, Andhra Pradesh Volleyball Association president A. Ramana Rao, chief referee A.R. Rao and AITA observer Vara Prasad were on the dais.

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