The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : ‘Sania’s absence and Twenty20 behind poor turnout’

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Monday, Sep 24, 2007
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Sport - Tennis

‘Sania’s absence and Twenty20 behind poor turnout’

Amitabha Das Sharma

KOLKATA: The absence of Sania Mirza and the ongoing ICC world Twenty20 cricket have been behind a poor spectator turnout in the Sunfeast Open, according to Mahesh Bhupathi. The doubles ace and the head of the event promoter, Globosport, said this does not mean a financial disaster for his firm but it is “unfortunate that people are staying away from top class tennis.”

“Sania’s pulling out owing to injury was bad luck. Added to it is scheduling of the Twenty20 World Cup. Frankly we can’t fight that,” said Bhupathi, addressing a media conference before the start of the singles final of the WTA event on Sunday evening.

“We like to see a full house all the time, but if it does not happen then that’s unfortunate,” he said.

Bhupathi dispelled speculations that the tournament organisers were suffering losses because of the poor turnout. “We do not always bank on ticket sales alone. Our business is modelled more on raising the money from sponsorships. Which is fine here,” he said. “I am doing business and I have to ensure there is financial success. I can’t say that I am only doing it for promotion,” he added.

Opportunities

When asked how much the tournament has helped Indian players in the three years it has been held, he said, “I really have no way to measure the rate of progress. We have done our bit giving wildcards to a whole lot of Indian players in the three years.”

“What we can do is provide opportunities to the Indians and that’s what we have been trying all these years.”

Bhupathi said that as a young player he always dreamt of playing in big events. As an organiser “my objective is to give Indians the experience of playing big time tennis.”

The title sponsor — ITC Foods — also did not sound despondent. “Spectators are only a part of the mileage we aim for. The tournament has received good media coverage and the television viewership has also been encouraging,” said a senior official of the ITC Foods Division.

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