A day after Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced a grant of Rs 1 crore for the Hyderabad-based ace tennis player Sania Mirza for coaching and training in the United States, the State Government on Tuesday formally named her the brand ambassador of Telangana.
Rao handed over the appointment letter and a cheque of Rs 1 crore to the charismatic star at his office on Tuesday at a meeting with industrialists.
“It is a matter of great pride that Sania belongs to Hyderabad,” Rao said. Sania Mirza will showcase the advantages and strengths of the State at appropriate forums, the letter said.
“Her services will be utilised by various Government departments and agencies for the promotion of their activities,” said the appointment letter signed by Pradeep Chandra, Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department.
When Sania met Rao on Monday, the State Government decided to give her a generous grant for coaching and other expenses to attend the US Open and other tournaments.
The windfall came her way at a time when she has staged a dramatic comeback in the international arena. Sania, married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, is at present World No. 5 in doubles, her career best ranking.
Sania, whose best world ranking was 30 in singles, is the only Indian woman Grand Slam champion having won the Australian Open and French Open mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi.
Talking to the media, Sania said that setting up a tennis academy in Hyderabad was on top of her agenda. Interestingly Sania along with her mother had earlier met the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy seeking land for the tennis academy. However, YSR had disapproved of the idea and advised Sania to focus on her game.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Government’s move of granting Rs1 crore to her has sparked off a fiery debate on the social media with many objecting to it and calling it “discriminatory” and “politically-motivated”. However, supporters of the move said that if the previous Andhra Pradesh Government could give rewards to Pullela Gopichand for promoting badminton in Hyderabad, why can’t Sania be recognised for her contribution to Indian tennis.