Delhi Gymkhana Club celebrated their newly-acquired membership of the Centenary Tennis Clubs Association recently by organising an inter-club tennis tournament that saw participation from some of India’s best known clubs.
The host club fielded three teams, and was joined by others representing CCI Mumbai, Bombay Gymkhana, Roshanara Club, Chelmsford Club and eventual winners Kolkata South Club.
The entire event was played in a carnival atmosphere with the friendly spirit this is typical of CTC competitions. President of the host club, Air Mshl Naresh Verma inaugurated the tournament with the unfurling of the club flag before the Raj Rif Band played. The opening ceremony was conducted in the presence of Mr. Anil Khanna, President of the All India Tennis Association by Col. K C Anand, the club’s most senior member and former Indian Davis Cup player Jasjit Singh.
Amongst the guests of honour was Centenary Tennis Clubs President Juan Maria Tintoré, who was joined by one of India’s all-time great tennis players, Ramanathan Krishnan. Mr. Tintoré presented the club with a souvenir plaque from the CTC as part of its formal induction into the association, which celebrates clubs with over 100 years of tradition.
Mr. Krishnan presented the trophy to the victorious South Cluv, and shared stories of some of his more memorable encounters on the club’s grass courts, including matches against Roy Emerson, Wilhelm Bungert, Ingo Budding and other top players of his time.
Following the success of the first edition, organisers hope to receive entries from fellow CTC members from around the world next year when the tournament is repeated.
