Lakshya Sports and Amalgam Steel launch ’Project Grand Slam,’ an ambitious venture aimed at discovering and nurturing the future girls tennis stars in India
Pune, 05 December 2023: National Sports Award-winning NGO Lakshya Sports has joined hands with Kolkata-based Amalgam Steel to launch ‘Project Grand Slam,’ an ambitious venture aimed at discovering and nurturing the future girls tennis stars in India and seeing many more junior girls qualify for Grand Slam events in the future.
The brainchild of Lakshya VP and Jt Secretary of AITA Sunder Iyer and Mr. Sourav Mishra JMD of Amalgam Steel the primary objective is to guide young players from the grassroots level, providing them with all round support to evolve into world-class tennis sensations.” We have not had much success with our young girls in the last 5 years. We had just one girl making it to the junior Grand Slams, but through this program, we want to see at least four to five girls play at all the Grand Slam regularly and start a new chapter for Indian Tennis. This will also help the girls to make an entry via the Junior Wildcard program in Professional Events “informed Mr. Sunder Iyer.
The collaboration between Amalgam Steel and Lakshya aligns with Amalgam Steel’s commitment to promoting sports and empowering athletes as part of its CSR and sustainability initiative. According to Mr. Vijay Pandey, President of HR at Amalgam Steel, “We believe that sports is essential for fostering holistic development, building character, and instilling values such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Amalgam Steel is collaborating with Lakshya sports for Project Grand Slam. We want to produce junior grand slam champions from India. Our objective is to give selected players with essential resources and assistance they may require to achieve their potential and represent India at national and international stages. Our ultimate goal is to spot talent at an early age and nurture talent to succeed in their careers. “
Project Grand Slam will offer comprehensive support, addressing various facets to ensure the success of the athletes on the international stage. The inclusive support comprises: 1. Scholarship: Financial aid to facilitate their focus on training and competitions. 2. Travel and Stay for Tournaments: Ensuring their participation in premier ITF competitions. 3. Training: Access to top-notch coaching and facilities for continuous improvement. 4. Coach Assistance during Tournaments: Guidance and support during significant competitions. 5. Equipment and Gear: Provision of high-quality tools for optimal performance. 6. Sport Science-based Training Support: Utilizing the latest sports science techniques for smarter training and better recovery.
The Formal MOU for the program was signed between the Hon Sec of Lakshya Ashish Desai and Mr Sourav Mishra today, in the first phase Maya Rajeshwaran, Prisha Shinde, Kaashvi Sunil, Aishwarya Jadhav, Rishitha Reddy, Nainika Reddy, Yashika Shoukeen, Sejal Bhutada, Akruti Sonkusare (Currently in age Group 14 and 15 years) have been shortlisted for the program. “We have a series of ITF events in India. We will be sending a travelling coach for the events to support and evaluate the girls. We will then make a final list for the program in the second phase in April 2024
Apart from the traveling support to the players for upcoming ITF junior events at Pune, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Kolkata, Indore we are hoping that the girls will gain enough points to make it to a J 200 in Thailand where we intend to have the first Foreign Coaching camp. The program will be guided by Renowned Coach and Lakshya Tennis Mentor Hemant Bendrey Indian Coaches S Narendranath, Shivika Burman, Namita Bal will be part of the travelling coaches for the program alongside Physio and Strength Training Coaches.
With Project Grand Slam, Amalgam Steel and Lakshya Sports are revolutionizing Indian tennis, showcasing not only a commitment to athlete success but also demonstrating India’s potential as a significant force in world tennis. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our apparel sponsor for this program, ‘The Indian Tree,’ for their valuable support,” added Mr Ashish Desai, Secretary of Lakshya.
The players were selected from amongst 150 girls in the Under 14 and 16 category. The journey of Project Grand Slam commenced at the U-16 Girls National Championship in Kolhapur in May ’23. Based on the athletes’ current and past performances, the Lakshya team selected 12 athletes for the next stage.” Following their standout performances, these young prodigies were invited to undergo rigorous trials in Pune. The program was Guided by experienced sports science experts and coaches, the athletes underwent various tests, including tennis-specific fitness assessments and in-depth game analysis, covering aspects such as forehand and backhand speeds, serve velocity, strategic shot selection, match temperament, and more.
