First batch of sportspersons selected for IMG Reliance Scholarship

Nita Ambani, Member on Board, IMG Reliance Pvt. Ltd, presents scholarship certificate to young tennis player Nandini Das during the felicitation of 29 budding sports persons selected under 'IMG Reliance Scholarship for India' programme at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai on Saturday.

Twenty nine youngsters from across the nation are part of the first batch of trainees selected under the IMG Reliance Scholarship for India Programme. These kids, ranging between 11 to 14 years, will be enrolled as full-time scholars for training at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.

Youngsters in the first batch comprise 16 footballers, eight basketball and five tennis players.

Nita Ambani, Board Member, IMG Reliance Pvt Ltd, felicitated the selected youngsters at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School.

According to the media release, the 29 trainees will join the IMG Academies later this month and continue until the completion of their education. The performances will be reviewed every year.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA), in association with noted coach Nick Bollettieri, shortlisted the five tennis players. The U-15 footballers were selected in consultation with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and will train at the IMG Soccer Academy. The facility is used by the Bradenton Academy for the US Soccer Residency Programme.

IMG Academy for Basketball Director, Andy Borman, coach Dan Barto in association with Basketball Federation of India (BFI), shortlisted the young hoopsters. ?The unique aspect of this initiative is that sportspersons can continue to develop skills without any compromise of their academic pursuits,? said Ms Ambani. ?I would like to thank the AITA, AIFF and BFI for whole-hearted support during selection and finalisation.?

List of trainees:

Tennis: Boys - Ronit Bisht, Basil Khuma; Girls - Shweta Sangwan, Ojasvinee Singh, Nandini Das

Basketball: Boys - Satnam Singh Bhamara, Sanjeev Kumar, Dinesh Kumar Mishra, Ashiv Jain; Girls - Barkha Sonkar, Kavita Akula, Pooja Ambastha, Soumya Babbar

Football: Boys - Harmanjyot Singh, Germanpreet Singh, Agiapal Singh, Allen Deory, Anis Kaithara, Hanan Javed Nellikavil, Jimmy Singh Maibam, Lalrammuana, Manraj Singh, Mohd Sajit Dhot, Myron Mendes, Nitin Jyal, Sidharth Mukhi, Supratim Bhattacharjee, Uttam Rai, Vanlalduatsanga.