Team Korea clinch Singles champions crown at  ITF Asia 14-U Development Championships

It was a victorious ending of team Korea emerging overall Champions of the tournament. With athletes from 14 countries, the event saw Asia’s finest junior tennis players battle it out for supremacy in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The ITF Asian (Jr) Championships Finals that commenced on 4 April 2023 concluded on Friday . Korea’s Won Min Kim and Jiyun Oh were crowned the Singles champions in the boys and girls category respectively.

The award ceremony was graced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who presented the medals to the winners, Congratulating the winners, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said, “It is a matter of great pride for our State to host this prestigious tennis tournament. It is our endeavour to promote sports in Odisha and I am happy to see such a large number of participants from different countries come together to compete in our state.

Secretary to CM (5T) V K Pandian accompanied the Chief Minister for the closing ceremony.

The ceremony also saw the presence of Sports & Youth Services Minister, Tusharkanti Behera and OTA President Asit Tripathi.

President, OTA, Asit Tripathy presented a memento to the Chief Minister as a token of gratitude for the support extended by the state government for the tournament.

Speaking on their achievements, Korean Tennis Prodigy Won Min Kim said, “I will always remember my accomplishments here, and I want to return soon for my next challenge. It’s an incredible feeling to win my first tournament in this stadium.”

Complimenting on the tenure spent at the tennis centre, Korean tennis woman player Jiyun Oh said, “We have been fortunate to play some of the best playoffs in this centre and the tournament has been extra advantageous for us to keep pushing our potential. We do look forward to get back to this court very soon.”

Asit Tripathi, President, Odisha Tennis Association reiterated the significance of the event and also lauded the state government for its efforts towards enhancing and promoting tennis in the state.

“The sports department has given us tremendous support.  Participants have lauded the facilities in Bhubaneswar.  Today, we have seven synthetic courts and a centre court for players to practice and compete. Furthermore, we have eight coaches to guide and mentor our young athletes. The way forward for Tennis in the state is very promising,” Tripathi said.

Secretary OTA Satyajit Mohanty, Tournament Director Sanjeeb Panda, Sports & Youth Services Secretary Vineel Krishna, and other officials of ITF, OTA and the Sports Department were present on the occasion.