GUWAHATI, Feb 11 � International Tennis Federation (ITF) Development Officer Doug Mac Curdy believes that the North-eastern region has enough tennis talents and if the youngsters are taken care of properly, in the next few years, a number if top ranking players can be produced from this region.
Curdy is presently holding an extensive training programme for the players of the entire NE region at the All Assam Tennis Association's (ATTA) complex at Chachal here along with Kawaljit Singh who is ATTA's coaching director. Altogether 31 players from Assam (24, 10 girls), Nagaland (3), Mizoram (3), Manipur (one) are taking part in the seven-day camp where 11 local coaches will also participate.
The camp has been organised by the ATTA in support with the All India Tennis Association. It will conclude on February 16.
Curdy, while addressing a press conference at the Chachal complex today said, there has been a difference of mind set between the youngsters of European, American and the Asian countries. Otherwise young players all over the world are same as far as training and physical fitness is concerned. The players of other continents are mentally tough and they get advanced training and facilities at an early stage which facilitates in leaning the finer techniques at the initial stage. He, however, said the facilities nowadays in the Asian countries are also quite developed. He was also satisfied with the infrastructure of the Chachal complex here.
Kawaljit Singh, who was here as a coach for about a decade in 80s, said ATTA is putting tremendous efforts for developing the game in the State and he is committed to give his best to the players here. He opined that the RG Baruah Sports Complex, which has been the nerve centre of the State sports, should have at least two tennis courts as it was the main tennis centre earlier.
Plea to change school timming: ATTA secretary Raktim Saikia believes that the time table of schools in the State has to be rearranged in order to give school children more time for extra-curricular activities. Saikia opined that as the sun rises in the NE region around two hours earlier than the northern and western parts of the country, school timing of the State should start at 6.30 am and finish by 12.30 pm.
Then the students will get enough time to be involved in other activities like sports, art and culture, etc, Saikia said. He also urged all the youngsters to take the advantage of the facilities available in the Chachal complex in order to hone their skills further.
