Akhtar Ali's coaching camp inaugurated

Chandigarh, Apr 13 (UNI) Western Command's Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Paramjit Singh today inaugurated a special tennis coaching camp for talented junior players of the city and neighbouring states.

The nine-day camp is being conducted by renowned international coach Akhtar Ali, who has coached top players of India-- Amritraj brothers, Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes. Ali commended the efforts of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) in grooming young players to reach the national and international level.

CLTA chairman Rajan Kashyap said the partnership between CLTA and Western Command was to nurture the gifted sons of serving soldiers into high quality tennis players. CLTA looks after all the requirements of the young players from 9-11 years onward, including their boarding, lodging, studies, physical development and training in tennis skills.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh announced that the Army has extended the agreement with CLTA for a period of three years. The earlier agreement was a two year period from 2004 to 2006.

During this initial two years period the children from the Army had shown glimpses of great talent. Ali himself expected some of the boys who were totally raw recruits when the scheme started in 2004 to reach international level.

Akhtar Ali expressed confidence that the trainees from the Army and the rural areas would reach national and even international level. He assured that he would visit Chandigarh once in every three months to upgrade and review the project.

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