Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday inaugurated Gondwana Cup International Tennis Tournament in the city.
This tournament is being held from November 23 to 26 at VIP Club.
Around 32 national-international players are participating in this first 'Future Men's International Tournament' of lawn Tennis to be held in Chhattisgarh.
In his address at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh has got a new identity in country and abroad by hosting Gondwana Cup regularly.
Singh said that Gondwana Cup Tournament has revived the age-old tradition of tennis sport in the State. This tournament was also one of the greatest sports tournaments of undivided Madhya Pradesh.
After being organized regularly for around 50 years, it was discontinued in year 1988. But after prolonged demand of youth and tennis-lovers, this tournament was organized again in a new form in year 2011, he said.
The Chief Minister said that this tournament has provided sports persons of the State with great opportunity to grow and polish their talent and confidence, as a result of which, they are participating in national and international-level tennis tournaments.
National-level sports persons like Abhijhit Tiwari have evolved from Gondwana Cup only, he said.
The Chief Minister said that persistent efforts of State government have not only developed infrastructure in Raipur but has also developed basic sports facilities in all 27 districts of the state.
Singh said that the State Government is gearing up to facilitate good coaches for the sport along with tennis court.
Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tennis Association Vikram Sisodiya delivered the welcome speech. He said that State Government is promoting all kinds of sports including tennis. In the same sequence Champions league Tournament of Tennis will be organized in the State on December 1 and 2.
Sisodiya said that Gondwana Cup will be organized on the lines of Chennai Open and Delhi Open in future.
He urged for providing better opportunities to young tennis players and requested the Chief Minister to open a Tennis Academy.
In the programme, General Secretary of State Tennis Association Gurucharan Singh Hora also expressed his views. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Olympic Association General Secretary Baldev Singh Bhatia, State Sports Department Secretary Dinesh Shrivastava, Sports Commissioner Anil Rai and a large number of sports persons and sports lovers were also present.