KSLTA Hosts SM Krishna Memorial Tournament : KSLTA Set to Present the Inaugural SM Krishna Memorial Tournament with $30,000 Prize Pool

Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), led by its president R. Ashoka, is excited to announce the inaugural SM Krishna Memorial Tournament - an ITF Men’s M25 event featuring a prize purse of $30,000. This tournament is scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 6 at the KSLTA Stadium.

This esteemed tournament is a collaborative effort between KSLTA and the Karnataka State Government, designed as a tribute to the visionary former Chief Minister of Karnataka, SM Krishna, who was not only a passionate tennis supporter but also served as the president of KSLTA from 1999 to 2020. He held the title of Life President of AITA from 2015 to 2023.

According to KSLTA, "With a deep-rooted passion for the sport and a commitment to elevate it to new heights, Krishna played a pivotal role in revitalizing the KSLTA facilities, transforming a dilapidated clay court with an unkempt gallery into a state-of-the-art tennis stadium located in the lush green heart of the city. He was fundamental in attracting world-class events to Bengaluru, including the Legends Tour, World Doubles Championships, and the WTA Indian Open, where tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams captivated local fans," the association stated in their release.

"As a leader in Karnataka tennis, Krishna ensured that the sport reached tier-2 cities and various districts across the state. Today, ITF tournaments are conducted in over 12 districts, making Karnataka the only state equipped with the infrastructure to host international matches, including ITF and ATP Challenger events," they added.

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, commented, "This is a commendable initiative by Priyank Kharge and KSLTA to hold a Memorial Tournament in honor of the late Shri SM Krishna, a former Chief Minister who was himself a keen tennis player. He aimed to enhance the sport throughout Karnataka and improve facilities in over 12 districts, and despite his busy schedule as Chief Minister, he made time for tennis daily. His dedication to the sport was remarkable."

He further expressed, "I am delighted that his legacy will be upheld by young leaders like Priyank and his team at KSLTA. The Karnataka Government will provide all necessary support to ensure this tournament runs smoothly and professionally."

Highlighting the motive for hosting the tournament, Priyank Kharge, the Minister of IT, BT, Science & Technology & Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and senior vice president of KSLTA, stated, "The former Chief Minister Late SM Krishna made unmatched contributions to tennis in Karnataka. His vision for the sport has allowed KSLTA to flourish, hosting significant ITF and ATP tournaments across the nation. In his honor, we have initiated the SM Krishna Memorial Tournament, an ITF Men’s M25 event with a prize money of $30,000. This will be an annual event, and we are thankful to the Karnataka Government for their support in honoring him."

The qualifying rounds for the tournament are set for March 29 and 30, with the main rounds commencing on March 31, and the singles finals scheduled for April 6.