Apollo Tennis Programme Hits Financial Foul

The future of Apollo Mission 2018 tennis programme has been lobbed into uncertain territory by an article published by the Hindustan Times on November 11. The paper claims the Indian tyremaker’s effort to foster potential tennis talent in its home country is “in serious financial trouble.”

Launched in May 2007 with a budget of Rs 1 billion (£13 million) and the aim of producing an Indian singles Grand Slam champion by 2018, the programme had enrolled 34 trainees. According to the Hindustan Times, this number has been reduced and players have been served letters suggesting that the times of free training may soon be over.

A company statement to the paper does little to clarify Apollo’s position: “Apollo Tyres is currently re-evaluating the Mission 2018 tennis programme, initiated two years back…In this regard, we have recently informed all the Mission 2018 parents that Apollo has begun this process but has not yet arrived at a final decision on the kind of role it will play in the future.” Apollo tennis brand ambassador, top Indian player Mahesh Bhupathi, elaborated that “Apollo has decided to step back a bit. We have been looking for some other sponsor to come in and take over. Neeraj (Apollo Tyres managing director Neeraj Kanwar) has been personally canvassing for other partners.”

When asked with the pledged Rs 1 billion would still be devoted to junior player development, Bhupathi said: “If we continue, that money will happen. But not with Apollo.

“There is a global recession and the auto industry has been badly hit,” Bhupathi continued. “Apollo exports tyres and the company’s revenues have been affected. I can’t blame them for looking to use the funds for their business.”