Mahesh Bhupathi's agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set up tennis academies in 16 townships developed by API across the country.
NEW DELHI: Mahesh Bhupathi's Globosport Infrastructure and Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set up tennis academies in 16 townships developed by API across the country.
Called 'Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academies' (MBTA), the facilities would be part of the clubs developed by API in its townships. Each club would cost between Rs 5-7 crores.
Bhupathi said the initiative was to take tennis to different parts of the country.
"Tennis is growing as a game. We want to take it to various parts of the country. There is a lot of talent and this effort is to tap that," he said.
When asked if efforts by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) were not good enough to produce more players, Bhupathi clarified that the federation was playing its role well and his was a personal initiative.
Bhupathi said one of the main features of his academies would be the presence of professional trainers.
"Academies would have professional physical trainers. The coaches, as is the practice, would be sent abroad to attend various coaching camps," said the winner of 10 Grand Slams.
Pranav Ansal, Director of Ansal API, said initially the emphasis would be on North India in developing these academies.
"This tie-up is basically to introduce professional and world class facilities for residents of our townships as well as people of the city."
"Though tie up is for 16 townships, initially we will develop academies in northern cities such as Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Meerut, Jodhpur, Panipat and Greater Noida," Ansal said.
Ansal added that the 'money to be spent on academies would depend on the number of courts in the academy.'
While building of sports infrastructure would be looked after by Ansal, Bhupathi would see the management of tennis matters.
API will also develop two golf course in its townships in Greater Noida and Lucknow.
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