‘UP tennis needs skilled coaches’

The centre also has excellent facilities to run a high profile programme. I have seen the training facilities available in different countries across the globe and judging by that,I am quite content to see the scenario here. I was actually not expecting all this at Lucknow.”

In a candid talk with The Indian Express,Kawaljeet said,“To get results you need quality coaches. It is not so that UP does not have good coaches but probably due to better financial opportunities,they settle down elsewhere. I know many UP coaches who are imparting training in Delhi.”

The ITF (International Tennis Federation) panel coach confided that at Lucknow,he devotes two-and-a-half hours in the morning to coaches.

“ I take theory as well as practical classes in the morning and guide them in better ‘crowd’ management because dealing with these many trainees is also an art and needs a systematic approach.”

The former Junior Davis Cup coach of India ,when India had finished at an impressive fourth spot in 2008,was full of praise for tennis sensation Sania Mirza.

“Sania gave a great boost to the country’s tennis. Her contribution is remarkable. I feel that other talented players like Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri have still to mature.”

Nasir Syeed who is looking after the administration of the SDS Tennis Academy said, “The Academy had approached ITF for Kawaljeet for the ‘advancement of the coaches’.

He was busy with a Central Asia camp and soon after imparting trips here he will be going to Combodia and Kazaksthan. So we were very lucky to have him here.”

“Academy trainees like Gautam Anand,Shubhi Dwivedi and Veena Singh have won titles in the AITA talent series tennis tournaments organised recently and under the able guidance of Kawaljeet,our players will definitely improve”,Sayeed added.