The Australian Open will be held in Melbourne from January 20, 2020 to February 2. Indian kids will serve as ball boys at this prestigious tennis event, the first Grand Slam of the year
New Delhi: Ten lucky kids, including two from Delhi, one from Mumbai and two from Hyderabad, have been selected to represent India as ball boys for the Australian Open tennis tournament starting next month.
KIA Motors announced this, while unveiling the excited kids at a press conference on Wednesday (January 8).
In the second year of the initiative in association with the year's first Grand Slam, an elaborate selection process was carried out across the country; this was followed up by a rigorous training schedule to prepare the kids to carry out their duties as all-boys in front of a world-wide audience.
Aged between 12 and 15, the list includes Atrijo Sengupta from Kolkata, Aditya BMV and Sanskruti Vadakattu from Hyderabad, Sharvin Kaustubh from Mumbai, Atharva Hitendra from Ahmedabad, Rijul Bhatia, Sargam Singla and Yashvardhan Gaur from Punjab and Divyanshu Pandey and Harshit Pandita from Delhi.
After a successful first edition of the Ballkids Programme in 2019, this year more than 250 young tennis enthusiasts from across India attended trials where they showcased their tennis expertise, agility and communication skills. The trials for the second season of the Australian Open Ballkids India Programme took place in 10 cities to present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tennis enthusiasts.
The official squad of the Programme comes from different parts of India, which is a testament to the immense passion in youth all over the country. The final squad of 10 kids was selected by the Australian Open officials who put the kids through a series of gruelling tests like the Rolling Technique and Servicing Technique among others that tested their athleticism and their on-court communication skills.
Manohar Bhat, vice president and head – sales and marketing, Kia Motors India, said, “I wish all the best to the kids who have been selected as the official Ballkids for the Australian Open 2020. There is nothing greater than pursuing your passion and being able to live it. Kia Motors has always gone beyond its core business and connected with consumers by promoting and encouraging them to explore their passions.
“It’s great to see so many enthusiasts believing in their passion for the sport and we at Kia are privileged to have been able to provide them with this opportunity to live their dreams. We are overwhelmed with the response for the second edition of the Australian Open Ballkids India program and will continue to support sports and the undying spirit of sportsmanship in India through such initiatives.”