Mumbai hosts first-ever wheelchair tennis tournament

Mumbai, Mar 28 (ANI): Wheelchair-borne tennis players from across the country participated in the first-ever National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Mumbai on Saturday.

Organized by the All India Lawn Tennis Association, the tournament featured both singles and doubles events.

Organisers of the event are hopeful of promoting this sport on a wider scale and and are keen to motivate Indian wheelchair borne tennis players to take part in tournaments around the world.

Players hope the government will take a note of this imitative and extend both institutional and financial support.

Daniel Absolom, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) official was present at the tournament along with his associates.

"The purpose of our visit to Mumbai is to witness the first national wheelchair tennis tournament in India. It's the most important step taken towards the development and promotion of tennis in India and get people recognized in international and national ranking," said Absolom.

Former Asian wheelchair tennis champion Boniface Prabhu, who is also the brand ambassador for this game, said players from Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Mumbai are participating in the tournament.

He further said Pune is expected to give a stiff challenge to others since the team comprises of players who were in the defence services and were well versed with sports.

The semi-final and final matches of the tournament are being held today. (ANI)