Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 23: In a major boost to grassroots sports and education, 10 underprivileged children from remote areas of Jammu region were today flagged off to the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bengaluru under the prestigious ‘Bhoomi’ Scholarship Programme.
The selected children were Raguvansh Rajput, Vivek Dogra, Raghubir Singh, Prince Kumar, Arjun Kumar, Rupali Sharma, Arti Chulail, Priya Sharma, Diksha Devi and Gungun will receive free tennis training from international coaches, ICSE education, boarding and lodging.
“Under Bhoomi Programme, the selected players will receive free boarding, lodging, schooling (ICSE) and a comprehensive Tennis training at the Academy,” said R.S. Chib, former J&K Sports Minister and Patron of the J&K Lawn Tennis Association. He congratulated the players and thanked tennis legend Rohan Bopanna for this unique initiative.
Murti Gupta, JKLTA President, said, “The players will also be accompanied by two wardens, Sachin Singh and Renu Bala, for boys and girls respectively, who will ensure their safe travel and care at Bangalore.” He added the children will train in a scientific, injury-preventive environment with video feedback.
B.S. Jaggi, General Secretary, noted, “Rohan Bopanna Foundation was instructed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help underprivileged children from North East and J&K, which was further followed by Governor Manoj Sinha.”
Over 100 children participated in selection trials in February, organized by international coaches in collaboration with J&K Sports Council and JKLTA, from which 10 were selected. JKLTA expressed gratitude to Rohan Bopanna Foundation, Sports Minister Satish Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Sarmad Hafeez and Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul for supporting tennis revival in the UT.
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