BHUBANESWAR 11-Oct-2009 125
In sports, there are people or organizations, who like to project their small achievement in a big way, But three are also people and bodies, who maintain a low profile despite achieving major success. Bhubaneswar-based Gurukul Tennis Academy (GTA) belongs to the second group.
After grooming scores of youngsters, including title winners in the AITA junior circuit, GTA finally announced its formal launching at Patia today. Public Grievances and Pension Department Secretary, P K Patnaik inaugurated the academy, which has been offering coaching facility for the past five years.
Himself a National senior circuit player, Patnaik thanked businessman Ashok Patnaik for setting up a floodlit court for GTA and advised upcoming players to put more emphasis on development of fitness. GTA trainees Adwithiya Patnaik and Shakti Ray were felicitated on the occasion for winning two titles in an AITA Talent Series Tournament at Raipur (Chhatishgarh) earlier this week.
Describing the role of GTA, its director Santoh Kumar Mallik said the academy has been nurturing around 50 youngsters at four venues in the capital city. ‘‘Among the trainees, Partha Sarathi Hansdah, Chinmay Pradhan, Vijay Avinandan, Susita Das, Ansu Kumar Bhuyan, Adwithiya Patnaik and Shakti Ray have already won titles in the junior circuit. The academy now aims to produce its first international player,’’ he added.
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PHOTO: Shakti Ray, P K Patnaik, Adwithiya Patnaik and Santosh Mallik (L to R) at the launching function of Gurukul Tennis Academy in Bhubaneswar on October 11, 2009.
