BHUBANESWAR 11-Dec-2011 366
Farhan Ali and Tanmayee Patnaik bagged a double each in the 13th All-Odisha Nalco Open Tennis Tournament, which concluded here at Kalinga Stadium Tennis Complex today. Ali won the two titles in men`s singles and doubles categories, while school girl Tanmayee emerged champion in under-14 girls and women`s events.
While Ali received a total cash prize of Rs 9,500, Tanmayee took home Rs 9,000. This was a triumphant return for Ali, who had won the men`s singles crown at the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1999. Avilash Mishra claimed the top honour in under-14 boys` singles category, while the titles in veteran 45+ and 55+ groups were pocketed by BN Mohanty-Sanjay Sahu and Pramod Kumar Patnaik-Prabhat Bakshi respectively.
Nalco Director (Production) S S Mahapatra handed over the trophies and cash prizes at the valedictory ceremony. Altogether 53 players shared a total cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Host Bhubaneswar District Tennis Association president Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and State Sports Director Saswat Mishra were present on the occasion. The BDTA president announced that the Sports Director had assured to convert four of the six hard courts at Kalinga Stadium into synthetic courts within a year.
