Kalaburagi to host landmark ITF W35 women’s tennis tournament

Kalaburagi is acceptable to big its biggest-ever planetary women’s tennis tourney arsenic the ITF W35 Kalaburagi-2026, a USD 30,000 event, volition beryllium held from March 1 to 8 astatine the Chandrashekar Patil Stadium.

The logo of the tourney was unveiled connected Saturday by Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development Sharan Prakash Patil.

Sponsored by the Kalaburagi Next Foundation, the tourney is portion of the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour and marks the city’s archetypal W35-level women’s nonrecreational event, representing a important elevation successful class and prize wealth from earlier editions. Kalaburagi had earlier hosted ITF Women’s USD 10,000 events successful 2012 and doubly successful 2015, and the instrumentality of planetary women’s tennis aft a decennary signals renewed sporting momentum successful the region.

The tourney volition diagnostic a 32-player singles main draw, preceded by a 32-player qualifying draw, on with a 16-team doubles draw. Qualifying matches volition beryllium played connected March 1 and 2, with the main gully commencing connected March 3. Players from much than 11 countries are expected to participate.

The Indian contingent includes starring and emerging players specified arsenic Vaishnavi Adkar, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina, Zeel Desai, Akanksha Dileep Nitture, Shruti Ahlawat and Sonal Patil. Four Indian players- Jennifer Luikham, Soha Sadiq, Sama Chevika Reddy and Amodini Naik- person been awarded main gully wildcards, portion 5 much Indians volition vie successful the qualifying rounds.

Addressing the media up of the event, territory in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge said hosting the ITF W35 successful Kalaburagi is simply a important measurement successful decentralising entree to planetary athletics wrong Karnataka and providing ranking opportunities and vulnerability to Indian players. He noted that specified events would animate young athletes successful North Karnataka and fortify the State’s presumption arsenic a starring tennis destination.

Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum said the territory medication had worked intimately with the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association to guarantee seamless arrangements for players, officials and spectators, adding that the lawsuit would besides showcase Kalaburagi’s hospitality and organisational capabilities connected an planetary platform.

Earlier, speaking astatine the logo launch, Dr. Patil said hosting planetary sporting events would supply a large boost to section endowment and further found Kalaburagi arsenic a taste and sporting hub.

Mr. Kharge, who participated virtually, said efforts were being made to beforehand Kalaburagi arsenic some a taste and sports city, and that the tourney would energise women’s tennis successful the region.

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