The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Youngsters stretch to buy equipment

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Youngsters stretch to buy equipment

Venkatnag Sobers

Bangalore: Tennis equipment is expensive and trainees and players stretch their budgets to buy the latest. Many students even sacrifice their education to do well and reach the top.

Kamal S., a young aspirant with many tennis successes under his belt, has enrolled in a correspondence course for his graduation. Though he took to tennis only recently, he has won several tournaments. He is now number two in Karnataka at the Under-18 level. Kamal is 50 in the ATA rankings.

Talking to The Hindu, he said that he took up tennis as he was interested in sports. Kamal says that it was his father’s dream to make him a tennis player. KIMS Tennis Academy Director Shashi Kanbarginath said that a student spends Rs 6,000 to Rs. 7,000 every month for training. It takes five to six years for a player to reach the national standard. If the player is fast in learning, he or she can reach the national level earlier.

A good tennis racquet costs around Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 7,000. The sports shoes available in the market are equally costly. On an average, the starting price for a good pair of shoes is about Rs. 2,500.

Branded tennis apparel cost between Rs. 400 for a T-shirt and Rs. 1,000 for the shorts.

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