Dubai: Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi has signed an agreement with several hotels in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates to house the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy (MBTA).
During his recent visit to Dubai, Bhupathi signed an agreement to have his academy based at tennis clubs situated at Marbella Resort, Coral Beach Resort, Holiday International, the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Oceanic Hotel, Khor Fakkan and Ajman Kempinski Hotel.
Bhupathi also operates from the Tennis Training Centre in Mirdif and the India Club, Bur Dubai.
The MBTA also have plans to open up a few more centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the near future.
Winner of 10 Grand Slam doubles titles, Bhupathi is currently ranked second in the ATP race. Bhupathi spent a part of his childhood in Dubai and Muscat.
MBTA has nine centres in India, including an elite academy in Bangalore where some of the best Indian juniors reside and train.
The academies in UAE will also offer a similar standard. The best players in will get a chance to train for two weeks in India every year free of charge. Plans are also afoot to have an elite academy with the best of training facilities in the UAE.
Globosport India, MBTA's parent company, has appointed Ajay Kumar as the general manager, business development and marketing in the UAE. Anil Mathew will look after coaching services.
