Battling to keep his playing career going, leading Odisha tennis player Chinmay Pradhan received a shot in the arm today with Dr Achutya Samant, founder of KISS and KITT, coming forward along with Odisha Tennis Association (OTA) and Khurda District Tennis Association (KDTA) to support him not only in tennis but also in academics.

KIIT University provided him a free MBA seat in Rural Management, while OTA and KDTA jointly contributed a sponsorship of Rs 1.5 lakh to enable him play four international (ITF Futures) tournament in Egypt next month.

Expressing his happiness, Chinmay, the first player from Odisha to gain ATP ranking points, thanked Dr Samant, OTA secretary Madhusudan Padhi and KDTA secretary Asit Pradhan for their help and support.

``I am grateful to Dr Samanta for taking care of my education and gaving me a free MBA seat in the prestigious KIIT University. He has also assured to provide financial support to play international tournaments. His support has really given me a motivation to do well in my upcoming tournaments,’’ said Chinmay in a press conference here at Bhubaneswar Club.

Speaking about his Egypt tour, Chinmay said: ``I have planned to play a series of ITF tournaments there during next two months. I fact, me and my coach Santosh Kumar Mallik are panning to make our international base in Egypt. My immediate target is to find a berth among 1000 players in ATP rankings,’’.

OTA Secretary Madhu Sudhan Padhy, KDTA secretary Asit Pradhan, KIIT Sports Director Gaganedu Dash and Chinmay’s father Dr Pratap Pradhan were present in the press conference.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Chinmay Pradhan (2nd from right) with Dr P K Pradhan, Asit Pradhan, Madhusudan Padhy and Gaganendu Dash in Bhubaneswar on July 23, 2016.