Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Tennis Legend Leander Paes Discuss India's Olympic Aspirations

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with tennis icon Leander Paes to discuss enhancing India's sports performance, particularly in the Olympics and Paralympics. The focus was on creating a strong sports foundation, nurturing grassroots talent, and providing world-class facilities for aspiring athletes.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, held a significant meeting with International Tennis Hall of Famer Leander Paes to deliberate on the future of sports in India and to strategize enhancing the country's Olympic and Paralympic performances. The conversation emphasized building a robust sports infrastructure and fostering grassroots talent.

The Minister reaffirmed his dedication to developing an environment where aspiring athletes can access top-tier facilities, expert coaching, and crucial competitive opportunities. Paes, who along with Vijay Amritraj, became the first Asian players inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame earlier this year, shared his vision and experiences.

Paes and Amritraj share a deep connection, with Paes being part of Amritraj's academy. Paes conveyed the struggles and triumphs of his career, including his journey through seven Olympic Games, and highlighted the importance of determination and support systems for success at the highest levels.

Spanning a career from 1991 to 2021, Paes achieved peak rankings of World No. 73 in singles and World No. 1 in doubles. He amassed one singles title and 54 doubles titles, winning each Grand Slam event. Paes also clinched an Olympic bronze in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, marking a historic achievement as the first Asian to win an Olympic tennis medal and the only Indian to do so.

Coming from a family with a rich sporting legacy, his father Vece Paes was part of the 1972 Olympic bronze-winning hockey team, and his mother Jennifer captained the basketball team in the same event. This heritage has significantly shaped Paes' illustrious sports journey.

(With inputs from agencies.)