HYDERABAD: It is a volley that those who handle sports in Hyderabad cannot afford to ignore. For, with Globosport, run by the family of Bhupathis, getting the rights to hold one of the biggest-ever ATP tournaments in September this year with a staggering prize money of $380,000, Hyderabad has been listed tentatively, along with three other cities to host it.

City fits the bill

All that the organisers are reportedly looking for is an international standard tennis complex and since Hyderabad has the distinction of hosting the first-ever WTA Hyderabad Open successfully last year, it meets all the requirements.

But, given the rough end of the stick which the Bhupathis claimed to have got and officials close to them indicate that they are still sulking in agony at the treatment meted out to them, the ball is in the State officials' court. In fact, this murky background was said to be one of the reasons for Globosport pulling the Hyderabad Open out of the WTA Tour and organising the Bangalore Open early this year.

Though Globosport officials have not come forward with any specific conditions to reconsider Hyderabad on their calendar, it is hinted that a change in attitude by the bureaucracy is what they are looking for.

More importantly, unlike in the case of WTA Hyderabad Open, it was disclosed that the organisers were not looking for any big financial assistance but only to get the infrastructure free of any strings.

The event itself is set to cost the organisers about Rs. 12 crores but with many corporate groups likely to line up to sponsor it, money may not be a problem, official sources pointed out.

So, for tennis lovers of the twin cities, it will be a dream come true to see the big guns of world tennis blazing away in ideal conditions in the City of Pearls. Will the officials lap up the opportunity to put Hyderabad on the ATP map? Only time will tell.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail