The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) is striving trying hard to keep the Aircel Chennai Open in the city in the coming years.
The agreement with IMG, the owners of the tournament, ends this year. TNTA has been associated with the tournament for 17 years now.
“IMG has the opportunity to take the tournament to other countries also. But TNTA is discussing with IMG so that the tournament stays in Chennai. For this, we need to commit ourselves to hosting it for at least five years,” said M. A. Alagappan, President, TNTA, at a press conference to announce the 18th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open.
“We hope Aircel will be with us; we will also need additional sponsors to come in,” said Alagappan.
On whether Aircel would continue to be associated with the property, Renuka Jaypal, National Brand Head, Aircel, said this was “under consideration.”
The 18th edition of the Chennai Open (from December 31 to January 6) carries prize money of $430,000.
The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournament will feature four of the world’s top 20 players, including world number 6 Tomas Berdych (from the Czech Republic), and Marin Cilic (winner of the Chennai Open singles title in 2009 and 2010. Indian players Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman will also participate.
The sponsors are Aircel (title sponsor), the Government of Tamil Nadu, Indian Bank, United India Insurance, Murugappa group and IOB. Tickets will be sold from December 1 on bookmyshow.com.
The Tamil Nadu Government has hiked its support to the Chennai Open from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore, said Mohammed Naseemuddin, Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Welfare and Sports.
The Government has also stepped up its overall budget allocation to sports, he said. In 2008-09 the State had allocated Rs 28 crore. This year, it has grown to Rs 103 crore, excluding Rs 40 crore that will be spent on the Asian Athletics Championships in Chennai.
The money will go towards upgrading stadium facilities and training talent in India. Tennis development centres have also been conceived across the State.