GUWAHATI, Nov 16 - The All Assam Tennis Association (AATA) is working round the clock in order to take the standard of the State tennis to the next stage.
After having their own complex at Chachal here during the 2007 National Games, the State tennis body is leaving no stones unturned in order to provide the required facilities to the youngsters so that they can produce better performances in the near future.
Elaborating about their schemes and facilities provided to the players, AATA president Raktim Saikia said that they are concentrating on quality courts, coaches and competitions through which the young players of the State can reach their goals. Saikia said at present the AATA has world class courts at their Chachal complex. They are maintaining the courts properly so that the players have the opportunity to play on quality turfs.
Regarding coaches he said, the AITA and ITF certified coaches under their belt are working hard to teach the basics and finer points of the game. Apart from their own coaches, the AATA has been inviting top class coaches from time to time in order to impart proper coaching to the players. Ohio based coach Anirban Baruah, Bangkok based Paul Dale, who is also associated with the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Scheme, Chennai have trained the State players this year at the AATA complex here. The AATA is also chalking out some ambitious schemes like inviting best coaches of international circuit with their supporting staffs, which includes the physical development trainers, physiotherapists to be based here so that players of the entire Northeastern region get the best tennis development programmes which are available in the other leading tennis playing nations.
The ATTA is emphasising on insisting the State players to take part in various national and international tournaments to garner more match practice and experience. Since last few years the AATA is hosting international and national level tournaments where players of this region are getting more opportunity to play. During the 2016-17 season, AATA will host five international, nine national and 10 State level championships so that players get adequate opportunities to develop their skill and confidence.
Some of the players including Parikhit Somani, Udit Gogoi, Priyana Kalita have been able to make a mark at the national as well as in the international circuit.
The State tennis body officials are also advising the players to set a daily routine by dividing the day into four phases. The players have been asked to devote seven hours for studies in institutions, seven hours for rest while seven hours need to be divided for study and sports. The remaining three hours the players can use for other necessities. But it has been observed that professional sportspersons round the globe hardly focus on the educational front in institutions. As soon as their talent is spotted they are inducted in a club academy and are groomed to become world class athletes. However, the scenario in our country is different.
