Chinmoy Pradhan

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 20: The number one tennis player of Odisha, Chinmay Pradhan, has threatened to quit the game for failing to get financial support.

Chinmoy, 22, said lack of support from state government and corporate sponsors had come in the way of continuing playing the game and taking part in international tournaments.

The ace player with a current national rank of 46 and highest ever national rank of 32, became the first Odia to win an All India Men’s Tennis Championship last year in May. He had finished runners-up in All India Tennis Association (AITA)–Odisha Tennis Association (OTA) 30k Men’s Ranking tournament in July 2013 and had finished ranked second in AITA-OTA 30k Men’s Ranking tournament in February 2012. He has also taken part in many International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures tournaments.

However, the financial burdens and expenses to take part in tournaments outside the country have discouraged Chinmoy to go ahead in his career. “I have been playing tennis for around 10-12 years, and have been Odisha’s number one player for the last six years.I have also cracked the top 40 rank in the national level, but I have never got any support from either the government or the corporate sector,” said Pradhan.

As he is making his way into the international circuit, the state champion has to play at least 30 to 35 international tournaments, for which he will have to travel abroad and it will cost him around Rs 20 to 30 lakh per year.

“If I prove myself in international circuit, I have to play these tournaments for at least two to three years. I have come so far struggling on my own, but now I need assistance to move forward, if I don’t get help then I would have to quit professional tennis,” Pradhan said.

Sports department officials, however, said they have never been formally approached by Chinmoy. “He should visit the department and present his proposal to the state sports secretary, for the department to consider any funding. We have never been approached by him for this matter,” said Ananta Kishore Jena, director-cum-additional secretary of the department.