Samtani the good samaritan

India's reigning National track racing champion Harish Samtani on Tuesday made a successful bid of Rs 75,000 for a week of tennis lessons ...

India8217;s reigning National track racing champion Harish Samtani on Tuesday made a successful bid of Rs 75,000 for a week of tennis lessons at the Nick Bollitieri Tennis Academy in Florida, US. And, in a most sporting gesture, he passed on the opportunity to a deserving young tennis player.

8220;I haven8217;t yet decided on whom to nominate,8221; said Samtani. It is quite likely that he has National hardcourt champion, 16-year old Sunil Kumar, in mind. Samtani had left the choice to Tamil Nadu Tennis Association TNTA, but on suggestions from some quarters, said he would nominate a player.Samtani8217;s bid was the biggest at the charity auction hosted organised by IMG, with Vijay Amritraj conducting the proceedings.

A picture of Ian Chappell and John Newcombe, taken at Flinder8217;s Park in Melbourne, was snapped up for Rs 5,500, while a framed racquet, autographed by Pat Rafter and Martina Hingis, fetched Rs 20,000.

Local industrialist Ajit Thomas successfully bid Rs 50,000 for a game of tennis with Vijay Amritraj oncentre court. Ajit8217;s sons, Rahul and Ashwin, paired up with Martin Damm and Vijay respectively for a game of doubles.Mahesh Bhupathi8217;s racquet from the 1998 French Open, where he won the mixed doubles title, was picked up for Rs 2,000 while Leander Paes8217; racquet from the 1999 Wimbledon doubles crown went for Rs 18,000. In all, the evening brought in Rs 3.5 lakhs that will be presented to the TNTA and the Samarakshan Orphanage, according to a press release from the organisers.

PAES HAPPY DESPITE STOMACH BUG: Leander Paes was happy to start the New Year on a winning note. He said: 8220;This year I want to concentrate more on singles. I picked up a stomach bug in the morning and I8217;m trying to flush it out of my system.8221;

Paes was honest when he said: 8220;I have not yet found an exact solution for doing well in the singles and doubles. However, I will make the best use of the available situation.8221; Talking about Pioline, his opponent in the next match, India8217;s No 1 player doesn8217;t have high expectations but willbe playing without the pressure. 8220;He is one of the top players and I have got nothing to lose. I will just go out and play my normal game.8221;

Paes was lavish in praising Sunil Kumar. 8220;Sunil is the brightest talent in the country. He handled his first match with maturity and courage. My responsibility is to help him out as the leading player of India.8221;

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CARMICHAEL LESSONS: Bob Nails8217; Carmichael, coach of Leander Paes imparted a few lessons to Indian youngsters Sunil Kumar and Akshay Vishal Rao on Tuesday. He taught them how to position themselves to negotiate a smash.

There were also a few encouraging words for the boys when they did well. Sunil8217;s coach Kawaljeet Singh watched the workout with interest, trying to learn a few things.