Mumbai, March 10 (NationPress) After successfully hosting high-profile international competitions like the ATP Tour 250, WTA 125, and PMR Challenger events for five consecutive years, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the ATP Organising Committee, has decided to bring tennis development to the district level in association with the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA).

This innovative initiative will feature 20 international tournaments approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), with prize pools of USD 15,000 and USD 25,000, taking place in various districts throughout the state. The goal is to significantly uplift tennis at the grassroots and district levels, providing Indian players with more opportunities to accumulate essential world ranking points and gain international recognition.

During the press conference, MSLTA President Prashant Suta expressed, "This initiative is a pivotal milestone in my role as MSLTA President, ensuring that tennis transcends metropolitan boundaries to reach rural and district-level athletes in Maharashtra. By hosting ITF tournaments locally, we aim to provide our players with the necessary exposure and resources without the financial strain of international travel."

The event also saw attendance from Secretary Sunder Iyer, Ashish Sharma (IAS), Chairman of the ITF Tournament Initiative, and Shravan Hardikar (IAS), Managing Director of MMRDA and Secretary of the ITF Tournament Initiative.

At present, many Indian players must go abroad to improve their world rankings and qualify for Challenger-level tournaments, incurring considerable expenses that are often unaffordable. With the introduction of ITF tournaments in Maharashtra, players now have the chance to earn vital ranking points right at home.

The Government of Maharashtra, through the Urban Development Department, has issued a special Government Resolution to support this project. The tournaments will be hosted in cities with existing adequate tennis infrastructure or in areas where new facilities are in the pipeline.

Funding for the prize money will be sourced from the five percent sports allocation in the annual budgets of municipal corporations, with additional financial assistance expected from partnerships with local businesses and institutions.

To ensure efficient execution, district-level committees will be formed under the oversight of Municipal Commissioners, District Collectors, and Superintendents of Police. The state government has appointed Ashish Sharma (IAS) as Chairman and Shravan Hardikar (IAS) as Secretary for the ITF tournament initiative.

Ashish Sharma (IAS), the Chairman for the ITF Tournament Initiative, remarked, "We are collaborating with MSLTA to cultivate tennis and establish a solid framework from the grassroots level. This endeavor will empower districts to host premier events, nurturing talent and infrastructure that will position Maharashtra as a leading force in tennis."

Shravan Hardikar (IAS), Managing Director of MMRDA and Secretary for the ITF tournament initiative, added, "In addition to the ITF events, we will also conduct All India-level junior tournaments in the preceding week, allowing juniors to compete and observe seniors in action. Our goal is to encourage more players to engage with the sport from the grassroots level, ensuring that Maharashtra produces more talented athletes in the future."

This five-year plan showcases the government's commitment to elevating the profile of Maharashtra tennis on the global stage. The inaugural tournament is set to occur in Mumbai at MSLTA from March 15 to 22, followed by events in Nagpur from March 22 to 29, and in Sambhajinagar from March 29 to April 5.