The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A dream-come-true session for several young fans

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Friday, Feb 16, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A dream-come-true session for several young fans

Kalyan Ashok

Sania, Shikha are a big hit with children at the KSLTA stadium

TIPS FROM THE ICON: Tennis star Sania Mirza helps six-year-old Soumya return the serve at KSLTA stadium in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: It was a Children's Day Out at the KSLTA Stadium as tennis stars participating in the Sony Ericsson WTA International spent some time with them on court and taught them, if not all, at least some tricks of the trade.

Over 40 children waited patiently for Sania Mirza, Shikha Uberoi, Neha Uberoi, Tara Iyer, Jelene Kostanic and Tzipora Obziler, who obliged them hitting the balls and correcting their strokes.

First to troop in were the Uberoi siblings, the U.S.-based Shikha and Neha, who were a huge hit with their wisecracks and unassuming nature.

Later, others joined in before Sania Mirza walked in unobtrusively, evoking a huge whoop from the children.

Sania chose to serve and volley a few while the children took turns to face her.

She kept encouraging them with the words, "come on, you can do better than that," "yeah, that's better, hit a little harder".

Sania then took the six-year-old Soumya, by hand and as a marker hit a few volleys, she helped young Soumya return the shots. Soumya was thrilled as her mother froze the moment on her mobile phone camera.

"We are going to remember this for a long time," said the woman while Soumya was too excited to speak. There were demands from children for Shikha and Sania to sign their sweatshirts, which the players obliged.

The children spent time quizzing the players about their favourite things and sought tips from them on improving their strokes.

A 10-year-old asked Shikha, "please tell me how do you put the ball across the net, every time I try, I put it into the net only". "Don't aim it just over the net, rather aim it at your rival, that way you are sure to put it across the net," said Shikha to the young fan.

Later, Sania had a word of advice which went down very well: "My advice to you is have fun on court, no matter what happens, that's how I play my game". The children later clamoured for photographs with their stars and for a change they were the cynosure of all media lenses.

The children's clinic indeed was a huge success and a good deal of the credit should go to the KSLTA coach, B.M. Ramesh, who kept his flock in check and saw to it that each child got a chance to be on court with the WTA stars.

The players too were pleased with the experience.

Later, Sania said: "I must say that I am impressed with their dedication and I understand some of them had turned up here as early as 8 a.m. That speaks for their love of the game".

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