MUMBAI: The organisers of the upcoming second edition of the franchise based Tennis Premier League (TPL) have added a fifth celebrity to the league’s ownership roster.
Hindi film actress Aditi Rao Hyderi has been declared as a stakeholder in the Chennai Stallions franchise of the TPL.
After earlier announcing that Indian tennis legend Leander Paes will have a stake in the Mumbai franchise, as too Bollywood actors Sonali Bendre and Rakul Preet Singh, and Indian film actress, producer and director Divya Khosla Kumar in the Delhi team, Aditi has been added the “co-owner brigade”.
Talking about her association with TPL, Aditi said: “TPL is a great initiative with the intention to make sure that tennis reaches every home. When I watched videos of talented young players along with the finest wheelchair players of our country play in their first season of this league, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
About her connection to sports, the “Padmaavat” actress said: “My father used to play tennis, he always wanted me to train and play the sport but I chose to be a sprinter and a dancer through school.
“This is my way of remembering him and doing my bit for the sport. I really respect and love the spirit and discipline of a sports person. I believe tennis deserves that push in our country and I feel this League could be that platform. It will be exciting to see players like Ankita, Saketh, Jeevan and Purav amongst many other young players to be playing in this League.
“They have all represented India and played Grand Slams. To have a national champion and former Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal mentoring my team, Chennai Stallions is reassuring and makes me happy.”
TPL will be held from December 12 to 15 at the Celebration Sports Club in Andheri, Mumbai. A total of eight teams featuring 88 players, across categories, will be in action.
The teams in TPL will comprise men’s and women’s players, besides girl’s under-18, boys under-14 and Wheelchair participants.
The under-18 girls and under-14 boys players will be picked through talent hunts in four cities. Talent days will be held in Ahmedabad and Mumbai on October 20 and 23, while in Hyderabad and Delhi on November 3 and 10 respectively. Registrations for talent days will commence on August 5 and end on October 5.
Founded by former national player Kunal Thakkur and actor/entrepreneur Mrunal Jain, the first edition of the league had Aishwarya Rai Bachan and Paes as team ambassadors / owners.
With a total prize fund of Rs 6 million, the event will see Arjun Khade leading the men’s field while Ankita Raina will be the top female player in the tournament.
The League is affiliated with All India Tennis Association (AITA) and will be conducted under the auspices of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA).
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