The Hindu : National : Kalam, Shekhawat and leaders congratulate Sania

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 13, 2005

National

National

Kalam, Shekhawat and leaders congratulate Sania

NEW DELHI, FEB. 12. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today led the country in paying glowing tributes to the Hyderabad Open winner, Sania Mirza, for creating history by becoming the first Indian to claim a WTA title.

``I am happy that an Indian player has won this title for the first time. I wish her success in future to bring more laurels to herself and to the country. I see a bright future for her,'' Mr. Kalam said in a message.

The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, also congratulated the 18-year-old, who upset Alyona Bondaenko of Ukraine 6-4 5-7 6-3 to lift the $140,000 Hyderabad Open. Congratulating Sania, Mr. Shekhawat said the country had great expectations from her.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, said Sania's saga of success in winning this major championship would inspire the youth across the country.

The BJP president and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, greeted Sania, saying ``watching her play was a matter of pride for every Indian''.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, described the 18-year-old tennis star as the hope of the nation in the world of sports.

The Andhra Pradesh Governor, Sushilkumar Shinde, also congratulated Sania for her sensational win— PTI

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