SRINAGAR: Srinagar has become the training base for India’s top soft tennis players as the second National Coaching Camp of the Indian Soft Tennis Team commenced at Gindun Sports Stadium, Rajbagh, ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The month-long camp, which will continue until August 13, has been approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It is being organised by the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI) in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Amateur Soft Tennis Association and the J&K Sports Council.
The national camp is aimed at preparing the Indian contingent for the 20th Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan in 2026, with leading players from across the country undergoing intensive training under the supervision of national coaches.
Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull inaugurated the camp and interacted with the players and coaching staff. She assured the team of all necessary support during their stay in Srinagar and expressed confidence that the players’ dedication and hard work would help India achieve success at the upcoming Asian Games.
Officials of the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association said hosting the national coaching camp reflects the growing recognition of Jammu and Kashmir as a venue for major sporting events. They expressed gratitude to the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India for entrusting the association with organising the prestigious camp.
The federation and the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association also expressed hope that the successful conduct of the camp would pave the way for more national and international soft tennis events in the Union Territory.
Among those present at the inaugural ceremony were Administrative Officer Gh Rasool, Chief Accounts Officer Yasir Sab and Public Relations Officer Jahangir Ahmad from the J&K Sports Council. Representatives of the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India included Chief Executive Officer Aniket Khodadhara, National Coach Hashmukh Vegda, Executive Member and National Coaching Camp Coordinator Dr Ghulam Hassan, National Team Coach Sudesh Sangte and General Secretary of the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association Shakir Ashraf.
