Mysuru: The 62nd national U-17 and U-14 inter-school tennis tournament for both boys and girls organised by the Department of Public Instruction and School Games Federation of India kick started at Mysore Tennis Club courts here on Tuesday.
Promising tennis players in the age group of U-14 and U-17, both boys and girls, from across the country will be seen in action during the five-day tournament. Over 450 participants from 25 states will vie for the top honours. Team from each state has 25 members comprising players, coaches and managers. For smooth conduct of the competitions, more than 50 referees will also be put on the job. Some of the matches will be played under flood lights.
Speaking after inaugurating the competition, MLA Vasu said, “Government of Karnataka has encouraged most of the sports right from the Maharaja period and the same is being continued now as well”. H A Venkatesh, Chairman of Mysore Paints and Varnishes Limited who also spoke on the occasion said, “Equal importance should be given to education as well as sports because a healthy and physically fit person can do wonders and be a great asset to the nation.”
He stressed on the importance of awarding marks to sports activities as well on the lines of regular curriculum to develop sports culture in the country asserting that if the same was done, definitely more number of people would take up sports seriously which in turn would enable the building of a healthy and powerful nation.
Coach warned:
At the very onset of U-17 boys match between Tamil Nadu and CBSE at court number one, the Tamil Nadu coach Raghavan was summoned and given a warning by the match referee and match observers Amardeep Singh and Naveen Sharma after the former’s act of taking the chair to the shade was brought to their notice by one of the organising committee members.
Facilities for the participants lauded:
Match observers Amardeep Singh and Naveen Sharma who have come all the way from Delhi were very much impressed with the facility, especially the five synthetic courts at Mysuru Tennis Club. “We are very much impressed with the arrangements for the tournament. All the five synthetic courts at the club look good. The participants were already practising in synthetic courts and as all the matches are being played here, it will be good for the participants”, said Amardeep.
