Indian's Nitin Kannamwar, Sheetal Iyer ITF Gold Badge referees

Pune , Dec 22 (UNI) Asia's top international tennis official Nitin Kannamwar of Mumbai and South-East Asia's first women's silver badge referee Sheetal Iyer of Pune have been elevated to the top most officiating position that of the Gold Badge Referee' by the International tennis Federation (ITF).

This was announced by the joint secretary of AITA and the President of MSLTA Bharat Oza, added that, it is indeed a great occasion that two officials from India and from the state have achieved the highest certification in officiating and they would be surely an asset to the development of the game of tennis in country.

Both the officials were intimated about this, after the joint annual rertification meeting of members of ITF, ATP and WTA officiating committee.

Nitin Kannamwar one of Asia's top tennis officials who is also a Bronze badge chair umpire and Silver Chief of Officials is the only Indian to have worked at all the Grand Slam events and top international events including the Olympics and Asian games.

While Sheetal Iyer who is also a Silver Badge Chief of Officials becomes the first ever Woman Gold Badge referee in Asia, she has been earlier nominated referee and supervisor for major WTA events in Asia, the Asian Games and Davis Cup Ties.

UNI