Hyderabad: A day after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a grant of Rs 10 million to Hyderabad based ace Tennis player Sania Mirza for coaching and training in the United States, the state government today formally named her as “Brand Ambassador” of Telangana.
KCR handed over the appointment letter and a cheque of Rs 10 million to the charismatic star at his office on Tuesday at a meeting with the industrialists. “it is a matter of great pride that Sania belongs to Hyderabad”, KCR said.
Sania Mirza will showcase the advantages and strengths of the state at appropriate forums, the letter said.
“Her services will be utilized 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 KCR 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 area. Sania, married to Pakistani Cricketer Shoaim Malik, is presently World No. 5 in doubles, her career best ranking.
Sania, whose best world ranking was 30 in singles, is the only female Grand Slamp 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 very much on her agenda. Interestingly Sania along with her mother had earlier met the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy seeking the land for Tennis Academy. But YSR had expressed disapproval advising Sania to first focus on her game.
Meanwhile Telangana government’s move of granting Rs 10 million to her has sparked off a fiery debate on the social media with many taking an objection to it as “discriminatory” and “politically motivated”. But supporters of the move said that if previous Andhra Pradesh government can give rewards to Pullela Gopichand for promoting Badminton in Hyderabad why not Sania for Tennis.
