AATA starts high-level training centre signs MoU with international tennis university

GUWAHATI: With an aim to produce top-class players from the State, the All Assam Tennis Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Altevol-Alexander Waske Tennis University (AWTU). Under this MoU, a high-level training centre was launched at the Chachal Tennis complex from February 1 where the university will provide extensive support in coaching as well as raising the fitness level of players and local coaches.

Disclosing the news in a media briefing, president of the All Assam Tennis Association Raktim Saikia said, "Our mission is to produce players for junior as well as senior Grand Slam Tennis Championships. We want to achieve that goal within the next five years for the junior category and will take another five years for the seniors."

Alexander Waske Tennis University is situated in Frankfurt.

Alexander Waske, the former Davis Cupper of Germany, is the founder CEO of the University. A well-reputed player in his days, Waske also participated in the Grand Slam and reached semi-finals in the Australian Open and French Open respectively. A few years back, AWTU joined hands with Ahmadabad based Altevol Tennis Academy and now All Assam Tennis Association will run a training centre in association with Altevol- Alexander Waske Tennis University.

Alexander Waske and the officials of the Altevol Tennis Academy were also present at the media briefing. Highlighting the plans and programmes, Waske said, "The infrastructure is very good here. However, we need a good fitness centre inside the complex as we believe that it is not possible to produce quality players for international level unless his or her fitness level is not at a certain stage."

He also added that apart from training the players they would also train the local coaches so that a uniformity is maintained in coaching.

Among others, present in the media briefing were the secretary of the All Assam Tennis Association Ankush Dutta and the officials of Altevol Tennis Academy Chirag Patel and Shrimal Bhatt respectively.