AITA aid for budding talent

Megha Vakharia, one of five Mumbai players benefitting from the AITA scheme, says, “The money is definitely welcome.” But, naturally, more than the money, it is the recognition that pleases.

Megha and fellow beneficiary Isha Lakhani are among a chain of promising juniors produced by the state. The duo were preceded by Sonal Phadke and Radhika Tulpule, among the top four juniors in the country, who were instrumental in Maharashtra finishing a creditable second at the Imphal National Games.

While Megha, who turned 15 this year, is within striking distance of the top Under-16 player rank, Isha is the numero uno among Under-14 girls. Megha and another local girl, Lisa Pereira are in the Indian squad for the NEC World Youth Cup, commencing at Hiroshima from April 25, while Isha will represent India at the World juniors in Jakarta from May 3. Among the boys, Vikrant Sane (Pune) and Benjamin Xavier (Navi Mumbai) are in the Indian teams.

The success has had its under side. Megha has barely recovered from an ankle injury, and is forced to play with an ankle padding.

Isha for ITF future: Isha Lakhani, Sasha Abraham (AP), Vikrant Sane (Mah) and Devinder Singh Bhusari (Guj) have been selected by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to participate in the ITF East Asian circuit to be held in Bangkok from April 3 to 17. Mayur Vasant, also of Maharashtra, has been nominated coach of the team by ITF.

ITF has also given three players — Vijay Kannan, Akshay Vishal Rao and Sheetal Gautam — travel grants of $1500 each out of the Grand Slam Development Fund.