Most of these ITF tournaments will be held in district headquarters like Mandya, Mysore, Davanagere, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Udupi and Shimoga. The first three tournaments will be held at Mandya (May 28 to June 3), Mysore (June 4 to June 10) and Bangalore (June 11 to June 17) respectively. The tournaments will promote awareness about the sport and also endorse sports tourism.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. R Ashoka, Hon’ble Minister for Home & Transport, Government of Karnataka & Sr. Vice President, KSLTA said, “Karnataka will be the first state association in India to have a 10 week of international circuit. Such tournaments provide gamut of opportunities for the budding international players from the country and the state to participate and compete with their international counter parts. State government has always been supportive and have provided best of the facilities to promote tennis and sports at large; our goal is to help promote the growth of this game across the state where the interest in tennis is exploding.”
“Karnataka’s sports history boasts of a number of sporting legends and we intend to carry forward this legacy and make the state a desired platform where sporting culture is nurtured. Provide the youths with adequate infrastructure of world class standards thereby assist them to excel in sports at national and international levels. I welcome the participation of Zuari Garden city with the Mysore Open. I’m hopeful of more sponsors coming forward to embrace other events shortly” he further added.
Mr. Karti Chidambaram, Vice President, All India Tennis Association (AITA) said, “I sincerely congratulate KSLTA and the Karnataka State Government for taking this initiative of conducting 10 weeks of ITF in the state. For us at AITA, we find it very important to have more of ITF $10,000 futures and challenger level tournaments which would provide an opportunity for our players to play at home without having to spend much financial burden and also have the advantage of home conditions. This creates an encouraging environment and should motivate more players to take up Tennis professionally. Organising a 10 week tennis event, KSLTA is setting an example for other states and associations to undertake similar sporting events. I’m hopeful of more players making a successful entry into professional circuit and move up the ladder quickly. With the Hon’ble Minister for Home & Transport Mr. R. Ashok taking the lead for this project, I’m sure Karnataka would go on to become a major sporting destination in India.”
Mr. M. Laxminarayana, I.A.S Principal Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka and Vice President, KSLTA said, “I am pleased that KSLTA is hosting a circuit of this stature which would go on to position Karnataka as a powerful sporting state. Especially having them at various district headquarters, it is bound to further promote the sport in these places and help us find talent for future growth. The district administrations have all agreed to host this and showcase their district in the best possible manner. I’m thankful to the respective deputy commissioners who have taken on this responsibility along with us and they are excited to welcome sporting ambassadors from other countries to their district. We shall make best possible arrangements keeping with the standard of the game. Promoting sports is a very important project for the Government of Karnataka. ”
Mr Sunder Raju, Hon’ Secretary KSLTA said, “We are pleased that Karnataka has got the opportunity to host ITF circuit and we at KSLTA have decided to create a platform for budding tennis players. Such tournaments reach to small districts plays a catalytic role in encouraging children get involved in sports and take up tennis professionally in the years to come. Organising sports event in tier II cities also helps people get acquainted with the city’s history, art and culture and there by promote tourism. We are glad to have the support of the Government of Karnataka for this and our aim is to make Karnataka an important Tennis destination on the International Tennis calendar.”
“I deeply appreciate Zuari Garden City to have taken up the title sponsorship for Mysore Open. Corporate involvement is important as a key contributor in the growth of the state and the country. Corporates today do understand the value of sports as a means of promoting social harmony and the discipline associated is well recognized the world over”, he said.
Mr. Sunil Yajaman, Circuit Director & CEO, Zygosports Ultd said, “We are happy to yet again take the onus of managing the entire 10 week tourney. Past record speaks volumes of our involvement in the management of WTA and ITF Tournaments. We shall leave no stone unturned to successfully manage the circuit and feel honoured to be a part of this huge responsibility. Zygosports’ aim is to professionalise Tennis and be a part of the young players’ growth towards becoming successful Professional players. We shall make all efforts to make this a memorable circuit for the players, spectators & media and thank KSLTA for giving us this opportunity.”
At the press conference, Zuari Industries Ltd promoters of "Zuari Garden City", the first of its kind integrated township was the first corporate to embrace a tournament. The Zuari group had committed close to Rs 10,000 crores investment in the state in 2010 Global Investors Meet with the township project being one of them. The Zuari Management gave their consent for Zuari Garden City taking up the ITF Mysore Open as the title sponsor. The COO of Zuari Infra Mr. Alok Banerjee while handing over the letter of acceptance to Mr. R. Ashok, Hon’ble Minister for Home & Transport, Government of Karnataka & Sr. Vice President of KSLTA, said “Zuari Garden city is proud to be associated with the ITF Mysore Open as the title sponsor. For more than five decades now, Zuari Industries has been socially and academically active and is a household name in India.”
“Zuari Garden City, the first ever integrated residential township in Mysore that brings garden homes and luxurious apartments set amidst exceptional lifestyle facilities. It boasts of an Olympic size swimming pool, 6 tennis courts, 2 clubs with indoor games like Badminton, squash, snooker, simulated golf range etc. besides restaurants, star hotel, school, offices and shopping Mall with health centre. With Mysore being a historical city and a paradise for people to live in, such sporting events would only go on to raise the image of Mysore in the International sporting arena and as a part of our CSR, we would like to pitch in whatever it takes to make this event a successful one. We are thankful to KSLTA & the Mysore district administration who have created this event and we are honoured to be a part of this”
Other dignitaries present at the press conference were Mr. I.R. Perumal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Youth affairs & Sports, Government of Karnataka and Mr. Baldev Krishna, IAS, Director, department of Youth Services & Sports, Government of Karnataka who supported the initiative of KSLTA and applauded the efforts.
Sourced From:Equator PR
