Among tennis players of Odisha, Chinmay Pradhan was known as a maverick. Throwing tantrums and breaking rackets were regular features of his game. He was also dubbed as a rebel for raising his voice against the governing body of the sport and demanding better facilities for players. But his passion to play and the perseverance to improve his game paved the way for him to reach the highest level in professional tennis _ ATP.
After ending his competitive career, Pradhan has become a tennis coach-cum-promoter, grooming less privileged budding talents and organizing all-India tournaments, under the banner of Mission Olympic Sports Foundation (MOSF) at his own complex, known as Gurukul Resorts and Country Club (GRCC) and located at Mendhashal, near Bhubaneswar.
He is playing his new role not only with the same passion but also with new ideas. Enabling players to play official tournaments of All India Tennis Association (AITA) at a lower cost has been the most notable feature of his work.
“GRCC is a one-stop tennis hub, equipped with three synthetic courts, along with lodging and boarding facilities for 50 players. Players from all parts of the country have been appreciative of our facilities and the success of the project can be gauged from the fact that we have hosted more than 30 AITA tournaments in 2023,” said Pradhan, who is the director of the establishment.
Taking its tennis-promotion mission to a new height, MOSF is gearing up to host the Major Sandeep Mahapatra Memorial AITA Men’s 2.5 Lakh Championship, under the aegis of Odisha Tennis Association at GRCC from March 4 to 8.
“The total prize fund of Rs 2.5 lakh is the highest at any AITA men’s tournament organized in Odisha so far. Players will also get AITA ranking points. We have received around 190 entries so far for singles and doubles events. There will be qualifying rounds before the start of the singles main-draw for 128 players,” added Pradhan at a media conference in Bhubaneswar today.
Speaking on Major Sandeep Mahapatra, who met with a tragic road accident on 3 March 2013, Pradhan said: “Bapi bhai was a valiant officer in Indian Army and a national level tennis player. He was part of many military operations, including the 1999 Kargil War and won numerous army tennis titles. Major Sandeep Mahapatra Memorial Tournament is a tribute to Bapi bhai’s exceptional contribution to the nation as well as to tennis.”
Major Sandeep Mahapatra Memorial, which was first organized by Khordha District Tennis Association (KDTA) as a State level tournament at Bhubaneswar Club in 2014, became an all-India event in 2021 and shifted its venue to GRCC. This year, it has been elevated to the status of an AITA approved men’s championship. Making it an international event is the next goal,’’ stated Pradhan.
Major Sandeep Mahapatra’s father Jagadananda Mahapatra, younger brother Sanjeev Mahapatra, OTA vice-president Subhranshu Sarangi and organizing committee chairman Dr Pratap Kumar Pradhan were present at the media conference, and unveiled the trophies and official jersey.
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PHOTO (L-R): Sanjeev Mahapatra, Subhranshu Sarangi, Jagadananda Mahapatra, Dr Pratap Kumar Pradhan and Chinmay Pradhan at the media conference in Bhubaneswar on 22 Feb 2024.