Tennis Tourney cum Social Service conducted at Kangpokpi DHQs
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, December 17 2018: The Kangpokpi Lawn Tennis Court situated nearby Kangpokpi - Mission Road which was built at the cost of Rs 1.5 Crore is in state of crumbling after 7 years of inauguration on May 2, 2011, owing to the non-maintenance for such a long period.

Kangpokpi Lawn Tennis Court, the only and the first hard court surface in any district of Manipur has three courts and one wall training court which had once produced many promising tennis players in the district.

However, with the condition of the tennis court going from bad to worse, many such promising players have already hanged up their rackets and stop playing the game since the past 2/3 years which account for the gradual declining of tennis players in the district.

Considering the pitiable situation, Kangpokpi Lawn Tennis Club (which was established in the year 2003) in collaboration with the Imphal District Tennis Association organized a Social Service cum Tennis Tournament yesterday at Kangpokpi DHQs under the supervision of Heisnam Balkrisna MCS, Director, IPR, Govt of Manipur.

Speaking to media persons, MCS Heisnam Balkrisna, Director IPR, who is also an enthusiastic tennis player said that even if Tennis was played in Manipur very early, mass participation in the game arrived very lately.

However, with the enthusiastic involvement and promotion of the game by various high ranking bureaucrats in the State, Tennis has become a very promising career prospect for many youngsters.

He continued that tennis player in Manipur at present especially in the category of Sub Junior and Junior are improving rapidly and most of them could secure top 20 National rankings.

H Bhushan, S Vicky, S Ashajit, are among the promising young tennis players of Manipur, he said and remarked that H Bhushan have already secured qualification mark for the biggest Wimbledon project.

He also lauded the tireless efforts of all tennis enthusiasts, Manipur Tennis Association (MATA) who are helping the overall improvement of tennis in the State and expressed hope that Manipur which is also known as powerhouse of sports in India will soon dominate the game.

Imphal District Tennis Association under the aegis of Manipur Tennis Association is also promoting tennis by providing coaching and training by engaging well qualified NIS coaches throughout the year, Balkrisna continued.

Expressing his concern over the dilapidated condition of the tennis court which is hindering the progress of the game in the district, he recalled his days in the district as Addl DC when he personally organised youths and played the game.

He also drew attention of the State Government and authorities concerned to look into the matter and urged to address the grievances being faced by Kangpokpi players.

Lukram Prakash, General Secretary, Imphal District Tennis Association, said that the main aim and objective of organizing social service cum tennis tournament today at Kangpokpi is to promote tennis and more particularly to breathe tennis life into Kangpokpi again while adding that we are deeply hurt on learning the gradual turning down of tennis players from Kangpokpi due to the pitiable condition of the tennis court.

He also said that the Lawn Tennis Court at Kangpokpi which was inaugurated before 7 years back has already arrived at the stage of renovation but unfortunately due non maintenance of the court it has already failed to serve its purposes.

Altogether, around 25 senior tennis players of Imphal and 10 local players from Kangpokpi took part in the tournament conducted after the social service.

The tournament was conducted exclusively in doubles match.

No singles match was played due to huge participants and time limited.

Kangjamba - Sanatomba duo defeated Prakash - Prem duo in the final match and received a cash prize of Rs 2,000 donated by Heisnam Balkrishna, MCS, Director, IPR and the runner up duo received a cash prize of Rs 1,000 donated by Shyamchand, Mandol, SDC Heingang.

A special lunch marked the occasion.

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