Deshmukh promises world class tennis facility in Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 6 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has promised all help to build a ''world class tennis facility'' in the city.

He said this today during the draw ceremony for tomorrow's Davis Cup tie between India and Pakistan at the Brabourne Stadium here tomorrow.

Governor S M Krishna, who is also vice-president of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), did the honours at Raj Bhawan today.

The tennis complex is being planned at the Mumbai University campus in Kalina in the Western suburbs, AITA General Secretary Anil Khanna said.

The university is involved as it will come up on their land.

''Talks are already underway to acquire the land and we are hopeful that the allotment will come through shortly,'' Mr Khanna told reporters. He said work would start in around six months' time and the facility will be complete within two to three years.

''The cost is expected to be in the range of Rs 25-30 crores and we are hopeful of raising some sponsorship.'' Mr Khanna also revealed that the Maharashtra government has decided to promote tennis in the rural areas, and the game will be taken to five lakh children all over the state in the next two years.

Meanwhile, the AITA presented Indian tennis star Leander Paes with a cake on his becoming the proud father of a baby girl a few days ago.

The Indian ace cut the cake with the help of his Pakistani counterpart Aisam Qureshi.

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