In a clear departure from the regular leisure activities that resorts organise, Leonia Resorts at Shamirpet is set to become a major hub of tennis activity in the city. This is because the top brass of Phoenix, its front organisation, is already in touch with the famous Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Barcelona to have a long-term exchange programme in tennis and related activities.
Reason? This air-conditioned indoor venue happens to be the first of its kind in India with four full-fledged courts and taraflex flooring already in place. “We have decided to be more player and parents-friendly. The amount of expenditure they have to bear even to participate in events over the years are high, as the venues are usually in one place and the accommodation is at another. Here at Leonia, it is all-in-one, thus cutting down on costs drastically; we have about 150 rooms available,” says Bharat Varma, Managing Partner, Phoenix.
In its first major move, the venue will host the Asian under-14 tennis championship to be held from August 2.
“Earlier, the top brass of Sanchez Academy was keen to have one of their branches in Singapore. But, with that idea dropped, when we contacted them, they showed interest; we hope to have a long-term accord with them related to tennis activity,” says Bharat even as sports consultant and tennis coach D. R. C. Kiron engages the young talent in a training session.
Former Davis Cupper S. Narendranath is excited on having a first look at the venue. “This looks really good; it’s weather proof and can easily host many international events,” he opines, with a glance at the spectators gallery too.
This forms part of Phoenix’s bigger plans for sports. Leonia resorts would soon boast of an international standard 1.2 km karting track which would enable Phoenix to host a National championship and also Corporate championships.
“A cricket stadium meeting all specifications is nearing completion at the Leonia and we hope to usher in a sports culture. The bigger plans include setting up full-fledged Academies in some of the major disciplines including cricket, badminton,” concludes Bharat.