The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Challenge is to nurture tennis at grassroots

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Challenge is to nurture tennis at grassroots

Kalyan Ashok

Many coaches feel it is time those who care for the game concentrated on building a good base

Need for having mega events stressed
Junior lot in the State need to be encouraged

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Promoting the game: The participation of the Williams sisters in the Bangalore Open put the city high on the world tennis map.

Bangalore: The Bangalore Open championship held a fortnight ago put the city high on the world tennis map as it boasted a field of marquee players, including Venus and Serena Williams, Patty Schnyder, Jelena Jankovic and quite a few players who were in world’s top 20.

The championship was very much in tune with the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association’s “Vision 2000” initiative aimed at building world class infrastructure in the city and State and hosting mega international events so that huge interest in the game is created in the State. Though the Bangalore Open left many feeling good, there is much more to be done to develop the game at the grassroots level in the State.

Many coaches, while conceding the positive effects of an event such as the Bangalore Open, strongly feel that the State Association and all those who care for the game should now concentrate on building a good base.

Krishna Bhupathi, father of Indian ace Mahesh Bhupathi, who runs the niche training centre, Tennis Village, stressed the need for having such mega events. “All these major events are needed to create the awareness and expose our players, fans and general public to the game at the highest level. But at the same time, we also need to address issues pertaining to the nitty-gritty of developing the game in our backyard,” said Krishna Bhupathi. To drive home his point, he asks a pertinent question. “Even a decade ago, there were enough State players in the national ranking list, but now how many are there in the country’s top 10 either in the under-18, under-16 or under-14 ranks?”

Concern

That there are only a few does raise concerns about the state of the game at home. But then again, this is an issue which is not the concern of the State Association alone. There are several factors which have contributed to it, including the academic system, quality of training, parental support and the commitment of the juniors.

The former State champion and now a coach B.R. Priyadarshi disagreed with the view that Bangalore Open would create a lot more awareness and interest in the game. “If you think there is going to be a major shift and a lot more kids will take to playing tennis, it is not going to happen. I wish a fraction of the amount that was spent on such an event is earmarked for junior tennis and supporting talented youngsters,” said Priyadarshi.

Krishna Kumar, a leading tennis coach, feels that events like the WTA can marginally improve the intake into academies and create interests in tennis. “A lot of people are sure to wake up to tennis as an international sport, but let us remember that we are fighting a losing battle against cricket which has been moving forward all the time with new ideas like IPL,” Kumar said.

Shashikanth Kanbargimath, another noted coach, who runs the KIMS Academy, felt that the impact of the Bangalore Open will not be immediate. “Such things happen over a period of time. What will be visible now is the improvement of infrastructure,” Mr. Shashikanth said and he added that the junior lot in the State need to be encouraged.

“It takes four to five years before they mature as a good senior player and so critical is the time when they are in their teens and playing good tennis. Their potential should not go untapped. Irrespective of where they play or practice, they should be supported,” said Shashikanth.

“Today, tennis is an expensive game, a pair of shoes cost Rs. 4,000 and they wear off faster when you play on synthetic courts, and racquets cost a lot more. The association can support needy youngsters in getting such things,” he said.

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