Mahesh Bhupati’s academy in Pune

Mahesh Bhupati’s academy in Pune

Pune, Hyderabad and Chandigarh
are new hot spots for tennis: Bhupati

Pune: India’s legendary Tennis Player Mahesh Bhupati is planning to open a Training Academy in Pune in 2007. This academy will be run under the guidance of Bhupati’s father Krishna and it will start from 1st of April or 1st of August.

Bhupati was in Pune today for the prize distribution of NECC-ITF Women Tennis Championship. Nugnanda Wannasuk of Thailand won the championship by beating Amina Rakhim of Kazakhstan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. This is second major title for Wannasuk. She won her first title last year in Nigeria.

Speaking with media persons Bhupati said that India has a lot of talent in tennis, but the problem is of coaches and facilities available. India has only five or six coach who can train the players at international level. India requires more number of coaches. That is the worst part of it. But good thing is that day-by-day more corporate companies are sponsoring sports including tennis.

Currently after Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi now Pune, Hyderabad and Chandigarh are the new hot spots in India. We are planning to start tennis training academies in these cities within one year. In Pune we are identifying proper places for academy but still no place is finalized. Within few months we will final that and also select the coach for academy. City has produced many well-known international coaches like Nandan Bal, Nitin and Sandeep Kirtane. We can utilize their experience for academy, he added.

Mahesh once again clarified that he is playing with Leander peas in doubles in Doha Asian Games starting next month. With Leander in Doubles and with Shikha in Mixed doubles, we have good opportunity to win gold in Asian games. Though Leander and Sania is also a good combination, we are little bit ahead of them. In doubles we have to beat world no. one pair of china to win the gold, Bhupati told.

Ashish Chandorkar
ashishchandorkar@rediffmail.com