Sunfeast Open ball boy/girl contest

In yet another unique endeavor to popularize tennis and create ownership for the Sunfeast Open 2005 amongst the tennis loving youngsters in the country, Sunfeast (ITC Foods) and Disney Channel have announced 'The Hunt for Ball boy/Ball Girl Contest'.

Interested kids can participate in this contest by answering a simple question to be aired on Disney channel till 5th Sep, 2005.

This first of its kind contest will give kids across the country a chance to be the ball boy/girl in a match played on center court during the tournament and rub shoulders with the likes of international tennis stars--Sania Mirza, Anastasia Myskina.

Correct responses to this easy query about the venue for the Sunfeast Open 2005 will give 4 lucky winners a chance to participate at the Sunfeast Open tournament to be held in Kolkata from 19th to 25th Sept 05.

These 4 lucky winners will also become stars in their own right as they will be featured on Ten Sports and Disney Channel, in addition to receive special training from Globosport - promoted by India tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi. Contestants can enter the contest by sending their answers either by sms, snail-mail or email.

Says, Mr. Ravi Naware, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Foods Ltd., "The purpose behind Sunfeast associating with a Tennis tournament was to foster love for the game and groom generation next for keener participation in sporting activities. It is our constant endeavor to connect with our audiences and we believe that the tournament will act as a critical platform in reaching out to our consumers and popularizing the sport in India.

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"What makes this event even more unique is the constant interface that it provides between the tournament and the viewers to form a strong connect and create a sense of ownership for the tournament among viewers."

Further commenting on the association Mr. Rajat Jain, Managing Director, Walt Disney Television International - India said, "Disney Channel believes in empowering, engaging and entertaining kids through various touch points, both on-air and off-air. This unique initiative by Sunfeast is an opportunity to provide a wholesome experience of both our brands by giving our consumers an access to their role models and enabling them to get a step closer to their aspirations."

About the Sunfeast Open 2005

Touted as South Asia's biggest sporting spectacle, Sunfeast Open 2005 is Tier III WTA (Women Tennis Association) event with prize money of US$ 170,000. It will be played at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata from September 19-25, 2005.

The Sunfeast Open 2005, Kolkata, is a new event that is being added for the first time to the WTA Tour championships, and will feature some of the world's leading players as well the new generation of Indian stars led by Sania Mirza and Shikha Uberoi.

Globosport, the sports management company owned by Mahesh Bhupathi, under the auspices of the Government of West Bengal, is bringing the tournament to Kolkata. With the explosion of talent in women's tennis in India, the Sunfeast Open 2005, Kolkata, will allow Indians to see a new generation of Indian women take on the best in the world in their own backyard.