Mandya to play host for International Tennis

Mandya (Karnataka): Mandya, under the aegis of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), is once again all geared up to host an international tennis event; the Mysore Minerals Ltd Men’s ITF $10,000 Mandya Open in association with the People Education Trust (Regd) Mandya from May 16 to 23. This is the third International Tennis event in Mandya since 2010 (Women’s International) and 2012 (Men’s International).

The event will be contested at the Peoples Education Trust (Regd) Mandya Sports Complex, housing synthetic courts, which have been re-laid for this tournament. The main draw, starting on May 18, being a round of 32 contest will have 18 direct entries, two special exempts, eight qualifiers (from a round of 32) and four wild cards, to be handed out by the weekend. Karnataka player Suraj Prabodh would be spearheading the local challenge.

The qualifiers will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17. All matches would be held at PET Sports Complex, PES Engineering College and open free for public. Matches would start daily at 9 am and go on till 5 pm with singles being played during the first half and doubles in the second half. The tournament would be inaugurated on Monday, 18 May 2015 at 9.30 am and finals would be held at 10.30 am on Saturday, 23 May 2015.

Speaking at a press conference today at Mandya, M. Laxminarayana, Principal Secretary to Government of Karnataka, Medical Education and Director General, Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Mysore who is also Vice President of KSLTA said “Mandya along with its historical importance, has been a great supporter of sports and cultural activities. This is the third time, an International Tennis event is coming back to Mandya. This is mainly due to the DC of Mandya Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan and Mr. Chowdaiah’s initiatives. Government of Karnataka has always been supportive to sports as it’s the best medium to promote health. KSLTA has been the only State Tennis Association in the country to have promoted International Tennis in eleven (11) districts of Karnataka and we are proud of this.

Our aim is to make Karnataka, a healthy state and make every district in Karnataka, an International Tennis destination. This way, we not only promote the history and culture of the state Internationally, but also promote sports tourism. I thank the sponsors without whom this event would not be possible which include Mysore Minerals Ltd, Karnataka Housing Board, Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd, Mandovi Motors, etc. I wish the event the very best and hope the people of Mandya turn up in big numbers to watch the International players and support them.”

Antoine ESCOFFIER from France ranked 623 in the world enjoys top billing in the event that will see players from four other countries participating. Ranjeet Virali Murugesan ranked 683 in the world would be spearheading the Indian challenge. A pleasing number of 14 players from India have gained direct entry into the main draw and will vie for top honors in the event where the winner stands to gain 18 ATP points and $1440 in prize money. The Star from India would however be Olympian Vishnuvardhan, former Indian Davis Cupper who partnered Leander Paes in the 2012 London Olympics. Ranked 783 in the world rankings, Vishnu is seeded No. 3 in this competition.

The four foreign players are Antoine Escoffier (France), ranked 623 and seeded No 1 here at Mandya; Jui-Chen Hung (Tpe), ranked 783, Shotaro Goto (Jpn), ranked 908 and Bruce Strachan (Great Britain), ranked 1245.
The runner-up of the event stands to gain 10 ATP points and pocket $ 848; losing semifinalists each will be awarded 6 pts and $ 502, quarter-finalists earn 2 points and pocket $ 292, losing pre-quarter-finalists gain one ATP point and $ 172 while first round losers gain no points but take home $ 104.

The doubles main draw will be a contest of round of 16 with the winners gaining 18 ATP points and sharing $ 620, losing finalists get 10 ATP points and share $ 360 while the losing semi-finalists will have to be satisfied with 6 ATP points and share $ 216. Losing quarter-finalists get to share $ 128 and first round losers get $ 36 each.

Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan, deputy commissioner, Mandya, Chairman of Organising Committee said “We take pleasure in welcoming the International Tennis tournament back to Mandya for the third time. During 2010, it was an International Women’s Tournament followed by an International Men’s tournament during 2012. On behalf of Mandya district, we welcome the sporting ambassadors from Five (5) countries including India. France, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Great Britain are the other 4 countries from where players are participating. We have ensured proper arrangements with PET Tennis complex which is the venue, hotels, transport, etc for the players and would like to ensure they go back with good memories. Our team from District administration with Mr. Devaraj, Commissioner, MUDA is co-ordinating on all aspects are looking forward for this wonderful event. I request the people of Mandya to watch the matches which would be held through the day along with their families. Our hope is to inspire the young children and hopefully a champion in future to emerge out of Mandya district.”

He also thanked Mysore Minerals Ltd for coming forward to sponsor the event and lauded the efforts of the Peoples Educational Trust in re-laying the courts for the event. He urged the media for their support in promoting the game in his district. He also thanked Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd and Karnataka Housing board for being the Associate sponsors, Mandovi Motors and others who would be the Co sponsors.

The ITF Referee will be Sheetal Iyer (Pune), India, the only Woman Gold Badge referee in Asia. All chair umpires are appointed by the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

As curtains drop down on the Mandya Open on May 23, most players will head off to Mysore to contest another ITF event, the ITF $10,000 Mysore Open to be played at the plush Infosys Campus courts, the main draw starting on Monday, May 25.
Title Sponsor for this event is Mysore Minerals Ltd (MML). Associate Sponsors are Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd and Karnataka Housing Board. Co-sponsors include Mandovi Motors, etc

Sunder Raju, Hon. Jt. Secretary AITA and Hon Secretary KSLTA while thanking Mandya District Administration for coming forward to conducting this event said “We are extremely fortunate to have a sports loving person in the Hon’ble Dy. Commissioner of Mandya Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan due to whose efforts, the International tournament has come back to Mandya. PET headed by its Chairman Mr. Chowdaiah has always been supportive and wiling to host the ITF event in its wonderful sports complex. On behalf of All India Tennis Association and Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, I thank them and citizens of Mandya for welcoming back the International Tennis players. I am sure Mandya District having the experience of hosting ITF events earlier will live up to expectations and these events give the people of the district not just the opportunity of witnessing top class players contest but also injects interest among the kids to take up the sport and we sincerely hope Mandya in due time will produce some top class players for the Country. During 2012, the champion of ITF Mandya Open, Saket Myneni went on to represent Indian Davis Cup team and also win the Mixed Doubles Gold Medal along with Sania Mirza in the 2014 Asian Games at South Korea. Such is the positive impact these events have. ”

Dr H.D Chowdaiah, President Peoples Education Trust, Mandya, who was instrumental for constructing the Sports complex, said the relaying of the synthetic courts for the event had taken place and he was happy that his organization could support the tournament and was proud that they were hosting an ITF event for the third time at their Sports Complex.” He also expressed happiness that the sports complex was being put into right use by the District administration and KSLTA.

Information on the event could be viewed on: http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/men's-tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100034612