Players from 14 states are participating in the national level men's ranking tennis tournament-2016 in both singles and doubles categories, which kicked off here today.
Odisha's higher education minister Pradip Kumar Panigrahi inaugurated the tournament, which is scheduled to continue till March 4.
Top-ranking national players of 14 states will be participating in the tournament, which is organised by the Ganjam District Tennis Association (GDTA), in association with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Odisha Tennis Association (OTA).
"We are delighted as several national level tennis players are participating in the tournament. We hope the people will enjoy the tournament, held for the first time in the town," said Panigrahi.
Revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Amitabh Thakur, who are advisors in the event, are coordinating the tournament.
"The tournament will surely boost the young tennis talents to participate in various national and International level tennis circuits," said Thakur.
Arjuna Swain, president GDTA and organising secretary of the tournament said there are a total of 60 entries in the event.
The organisation will also hold the veteran 40 and 50 Plus doubles tournament on March 5 and 6 after the AITT-2016, Swain said adding, several veterans across the state and West Bengal will participate.
