[1]Though the Kerala team has been performing impressively in National Tennikoit championship for several years, the game is still not given much recognition in the State.
In the last National Championship, the State had won gold in both men’s and women’s doubles as well as in the mixed doubles besides a silver in the singles category.
This year, the Kerala Tennikoit Association is organising the State Championship in Kozhikode on a shoe-string budget with no real sponsors or financial backing.
“The major problem is the decrease in popularity. Earlier, it was a popular game, played everywhere in the State. But now the popularity has decreased. However, Kerala have always been a major contributor to the national team,” said U.P. Sabira, an official in the Association.
The officials say that the government must pay more interest in promoting the game.
“We have a tough time getting sponsors for the State Championship. Besides, the students are also not getting good training facilities. Despite all this, the State have somehow managed to a strong team,” said Sabira.
The State championship, which commenced on Sunday will end on September 6.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/tennikoitjpgcropdisplayjpg-176