Lucknow: The much-awaited International Soft Tennis Tournament, Muscat, was officially launched at a grand event held at the Raj Bhavan. The ceremony was graced by Uttar Pradesh Governor, Anandiben Patel, who extended her best wishes to all participating players and emphasized the significance of the tournament in enhancing both sports and diplomatic ties in South Asia.
In her address, Governor Patel highlighted the role of sports in not just developing physical skills but also promoting mental growth and fostering international cooperation. “I am delighted to see players from India and several South Asian countries participating in this tournament. It serves as an excellent platform to strengthen brotherhood and ties between nations,” she said.
Focus on South Asian Participation
The tournament features players from several prominent South Asian countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. The organizers expressed hope that this event will provide a global platform for players to showcase their talent while also strengthening regional relations.
“This is an important step towards building lasting relationships between countries in the region through sports,” said one of the organizers, emphasizing the role of sports in diplomacy and cultural exchange.
Presence of Soft Tennis Association Officials
The event was also attended by the President of the Soft Tennis Association, Abhishek Kaushik, and General Secretary, Prashant Sharma. Both officials thanked Governor Patel for her support and spoke about the importance of such events in uplifting the morale of athletes and promoting the sport.
Prashant Sharma expressed optimism about the growing awareness of soft tennis in India. “We are seeing a rise in awareness of soft tennis in our country. This international tournament not only provides inspiration to local players but also creates new opportunities for the sport to thrive,” he said.
Excitement Among Players
Prominent players such as Tanushree Pandey, Mrityunjay Sahani, Rupesh Kumar, and Siddharth Dwivedi also attended the launch event. The players shared their excitement about the tournament and expressed their eagerness to perform at the international level.
Tanushree Pandey, one of the key players, shared her excitement, saying, “Every player dreams of competing at the international level. This tournament gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves. We are determined to make our country proud.”
Looking Ahead: Future Prospects
This international soft tennis tournament is not only a major attraction for sports enthusiasts in Lucknow but is also expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the sport. The organizers stated their commitment to further popularizing soft tennis in India and ensuring that such events continue to inspire athletes across the nation.
“As we continue to host such prestigious tournaments, we aim to build a stronger platform for the development of soft tennis and provide more opportunities for our athletes,” said Abhishek Kaushik.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes are on the players, who will have the chance to showcase their skills, foster international friendships, and elevate the status of soft tennis in India and South Asia.
