GVK Group of Industries will sponsor Asian under-14 tennis champion Yadlapalli Pranjala for the next one year and will make a critical review later for renewal of the same, according to S.M. Haq, In-charge (sponsorships), GVK Foundation, here on Thursday.
“The decision to sponsor Pranjala was taken after G.V. Krishna Reddy, chairman of the GVK Group, invited the young champion for a game of tennis. After getting a first-hand impression, Mr. Reddy made the decision as he felt Pranjala had the potential to be a champion player at the highest level,” Mr. Haq said.
“The one-year sponsorship will take care of the travel and accommodation expenditure that will by incurred by Pranjala for competing in many AITA and ITF tournaments,” he said. Initially, there would be a ceiling on the amount of sponsorship, but if the results are up to expectations, she will get further support, he added.
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The GVK Tennis Academy director, Ilyas Ghouse, recalled that they had also sponsored Sania Mirza in 1999 and helped her make rapid strides in the big league. “We are hopeful that Pranjala would emulate Sania,” he said.
Pranjala (13), who won about 50 AITA, ITF titles already, is delighted at GVK sponsorship. “I could not have asked for a better deal. I am grateful to Mr. GVK and hope to live up to their expectations,” she said. Pranjala’s coach Sanjay of Sun-Jay Tennis Academy felt it could well be the turning point for Pranjala’s career.