Pune: Arnav Paparkar stole the show in the BVG India PMDTA Junior Tennis League (JTL) auctions by getting highest bid of 3,300 points. Under-10 player Arnav will be part of Rising Eagles team.
“Junior Tennis League has received tremendous response in the last three years and players like Salsa Aher, Rutuja Chapalkar, Gargi Pawar, Vaishnavi Adkar and Manas Dhamne, who where part of this league, have shown their mettle in state level and national tournaments,” said Sunder Iyer, Secretary of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA).
The six teams tournament will commence from June 29 and it is expected to end by August 15.
“All the matches will be played over weekends in Deccan Gymkhana and PYC Gymkhana. We are expecting the tournament to end by August 15 but if the weather plays spoilsport, then dates of the final may be postponed,” explained Ashwin Girme, Joint Commissioner of JTL.
“Each team will have 23 players, 22 of which have been picked during auctions and all the teams will be provided 1 wild card. Many of the players will be out for other tournaments so wildcard gives extra cushion to the teams,” Iyer stated. The winners will receive the cash award of Rs 50,000.
In the coming year, PDMTA is also having an insurance programme for the Pune coaches. “There are 85-90 coaches registered with PDMTA, we will be providing them accident insurance upto to Rs 2 lakhs,” added Iyer.
Teams: Striking Jaguars, Speeding Cheetahs, Roaring Lions, Rising Eagles, Raging Bulls, Growling Tigers.
