PUNE, 4 February : Tata Open Maharashtra organisers Maharashtra State Lawn tennis Association ( MSLTA) today handed over their contribution cheque in lieu of the 545 Aces hit by players during the Tata Open Maharashtra held in the city last month to their NGO partner SOFOSH. The Pune-based NGO is dedicated to the care, development and rehabilitation of orphans at child-care centre Shreevatsa.
The organisers had pledged to monetize every ace served by players at Tata Open Maharashtra so to add to the kitty of the NGO for the benefit of the under-privileged. The matches saw 545 Aces hit during the event in the singles and doubles event played at the Mhalunge Balewadi Stadium, Pune from December 31, 2018 to January 5, 2019.
The runner-up of the Singles event Ivo Karlovic served the most 124 aces followed by the winner of the event and World.No 6 Kevin Anderson, who hit 76 aces . Among the Indian Players, Ramkumar Ramanathan served 29 aces . The cheque was handed over to Dr. Kavita Kareer, Vice-Chairperson, SOFOSH by the Hon Secretary of MSLTA Sunder Iyer and Tournament Director of Tata Open Maharashtra, Prashant Sutar.
"As organisers, we not only wanted to cater to tennis lovers but also make an impact of such a big tournament in the city towards the society at large. With this initiative, we want to make a difference to the society at large and use the medium of sport in a manner that brings smiles on faces of the affected people thus we chose to partner SOFOSH and we are truly satisfied that we have been able to deliver what we committed," said Sunder Iyer and Prashant Sutar
TARA SOFOSH DHAPHALE centre in Pimple Gurav is dedicated to nurturing and supporting differently abled children. SOFOSH (Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospitals) provides extensive support for the patients of the Sassoon Hospital by providing medicines, counseling, financial aid for needy patients and infrastructure support to the hospital through its patient welfare activities and such initiatives are noble and this contribution for a noble cause is much appreciated , informed Dr. Kavita Kareer, Vice-Chairperson, SOFOSH.