A ‘ten out of ten’ for this tennis venture…

Bengaluru: Marking a historic milestone for para-sports in India, the Deuce Tennis Centre (DTC) — the nation’s first-ever Centre of Excellence for Wheelchair Tennis, was inaugurated at Sidhalghatta, Chikkaballapura, about 50 km from here on Saturday.

The event witnessed a vibrant and inspiring ceremony hosted by Astha, a non-profit organization championing the rights and inclusion of people with physical disabilities.

Funded through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the launch signalled a transformative step towards building an inclusive sporting ecosystem in the country.

The event brought together a distinguished panel of guests, government officials, athletes, and community leaders committed to redefining accessibility and excellence in Indian tennis.

Amongst the dignitaries present included KH Muniyappa, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Karnataka, Dr. MC Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, Dr. C. Narayanaswamy, Chairman, 5th Karnataka State Finance Commission and former Member of Parliament, M. Mallesh Babu, Member of Parliament, Kolar Lok Sabha constituency and B.N. Ravi Kumar, MLA, Sidlaghatta, amongst others.

Shilpa KP, National Women’s Champion and ITF No. 96 Wheelchair Tennis Player and Prahlad Srinath, former Indian Davis Cupper and Asian Games medalist were the guests of honour.

The programme featured the unveiling of the DTC logo, a demonstration of elite wheelchair tennis led by Srinath Prahlad, and a musical narration of the DTC journey by Vaishnavi Hangal, accompanied by students from Gangubai Hangal Sangeet Vidyalaya and volunteers of Astha.

Speaking at the event, CA Sunil Jain, Chairman of DTC, shared: “DTC is not just a facility — it’s a mission to create a democratic tennis culture where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive. Tennis is often seen as an individual pursuit, but DTC embodies the belief that it’s a team journey — one of shared purpose, effort, and reward.”

Minister Muniyappa remarked: “This centre of excellence is a matter of great pride for Karnataka. It sets a new standard for inclusivity in sports and shows what’s possible when government, civil society, and corporate entities work together for a common cause,” while adding that the government would support the endeavours of DTC.

Dr. Sudhakar said: “We are committed to ensuring that educational institutions and sports centres promote accessibility and empowerment. DTC reflects this vision — a place where ability is celebrated, and everyone gets an equal opportunity to excel.”

Srinath Prahlad, the key mentor for the centre, noted: “The athletes I’ve met here are nothing short of inspiring. With the right infrastructure and coaching, they can take Indian wheelchair tennis to the world stage. This centre is the first step in that journey.”

Shilpa K P, India’s top-ranked women’s wheelchair tennis player, shared: “For the first time, we have a space that truly belongs to us — where we can train, grow, and dream without limits. It’s not just about tennis; it’s about dignity, representation, and hope.”