The Hindu : Sport : Will Devvarman play in the CWG?

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Thursday, Jul 29, 2010
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Will Devvarman play in the CWG?

Kamesh Srinivasan

— Photo: AFP

Somdev Devvarman.

NEW DELHI: The enthusiastic tennis followers may be a bit disappointed about the French Open finalist Samantha Stosur, the Australian Open finalist Andy Murray or the former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt not coming for the Commonwealth Games, but the hard core Indian fan has more to worry about, as there has been talk about the country's No.1 tennis player Somdev Devvarman skipping the event to be staged from October 3 to 14.

As the Secretary-General of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Anil Khanna, emphasised the other day in front of the Union Sports Minister, Dr. M.S. Gill, the elite tennis players have not got a single rupee towards preparation for the Commonwealth Games, though the government is spending thousands of crores of rupees overall.

“We are trying to impress upon the government that players like Somdev are not making money but making a loss by staying on the circuit as the expenses are enormous. The government procedures are coming in the way, as the players are expected to produce bills for everything.

“In Somdev's case, we are trying to get support granted through the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF),” said Anil Khanna.

The understanding with the government for support to tennis players was an overall allowance of $115 per day during the tournaments for tennis, as the elite players cannot afford to come for the training camps. However, this money, for 75 days as requested, if not for 180 days, has not been released to the players yet.

Meanwhile, even as Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the players should get maximum training at the DLTA Complex that is ready, a three-week training camp for the Indian women players is scheduled to be held in Pune.

Nirupama Sanjeev and Tara Iyer are also expected to figure in the final training camp that also would serve as the selection platform to choose three players to join Sania Mirza for national duty.

Quite interestingly, Sania herself had planned to train in Delhi for a week before embarking on the European circuit, but could not do so.

With two months to go for the Games, it is time the authorities concerned shifted their focus to getting the Indian athletes ready so that they could deliver the best possible results.

Like Sania Mirza in her best form capable of striking an individual medal, Devvarman could definitely capture a medal in singles, if he is given the support and more importantly made to feel wanted.

Of course, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania and most possibly Nirupama could hope to garner some doubles and mixed doubles medals to boost the Indian tally.

In India's race to be among the top three from among 71 countries, every medal will count. The best players need to be given the best support.

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