Sania does not need govt. help: AP minister

Even as sports lovers in the country are thrilled with the international success of teen tennis sensation Sania Mirza, Andhra Pradesh Sports Minister M Satyanarayana Rao seems unmoved by it.

Rao said the player was affluent enough to manage her financial affairs and did not need any help from the government.

"She does not need it. In fact, she is in a position to give us," the minister told 'NDTV 24x7' TV channel at Hyderabad on Tuesday.

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The Sports Minister's comments came in the context of provision of financial assistance to the tune of Rs 99 lakh to Sania by the state government since 2001 without any publicity.

However, according to chairman of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the Sports Authority of India M S Raj Thakur, the state government should continue to help the top woman tennis player as this would help her achieve more glory.

"The government should continue to help her so that she can bring more laurels for the state as well as the country," Thakur said.