Nikhat Banu of the Gujrati Seva Mandal (GSM) Table Tennis Academy, Secunderabad will take part in the International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF) Joola German and French junior open tournaments in the second and third week of April respectively.
The news was broken to her by well-wisher and mentor S.M. Sultan, Vice President, Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Table Tennis Association (APTTA), who had received a letter to this effect from TTFI Secretary General Dhan Raj Choudhary.
The German event will be held at Selingenstadt from April 8 to 11 and the French competition at Vern Sur Seiche from April 14 to 18, both being held for boys and girls under 18 years of age. Although Banu, India No. 4 in juniors, has impressive international and national achievement, she has no sponsor, support coming in piecemeal form.
She receives a monthly stipend of Rs. 6000 from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), free mental training from Dr. Bharat Singh, physical training from sports medicine specialist Dr. Bakhtiar Choudhary, a two-year kit sponsorship from Stag International (to commence shortly), besides being coached by T. Nagaraj and Maduri Venugopal.
The 12th standard Commerce student of Kendriya Vidyalay, Picket enjoys the full backing of Principal Sudha Mani and could make this trip thanks to the good offices of Loyola Academy's Samson Jacob. Nikhat also acknowledged the encouragement of GSM President Pramod Dharia.
