Tomorrow's World: 'I want to become a pro'

The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. They shape the future and reflect our progress. What are the hopes and aspirations of our kids? How do they see themselves contributing to a better world? What do they feel, think, believe and desire? Every week, we zoom in on the youth living in the Emirates, and hear what they have to say

Children of the Week: Tarun Kishan

The date February 15, 2003, marks a special day for 11-year old Tarun Kishan. Not only is it his 12th birthday, but it is the day when his dream to become a ball boy at the ATP Tennis Open comes true. After all, tennis is his passion and flair.

Hitting the courts every weekend since he was five years old, Tarun is as dedicated to the sport as he is talented. His skills are being honed with expert coach Zeeshan Ali, a former member of the Indian Davis Cup team and winner of men's tennis in Dubai. The continuous encouragement and support of his parents Rowena and Jaideep Kishan, owners of a jewellery outlet in Dubai, contribute to his progress. A student of St. Mary's Catholic High School in Dubai, Tarun recently received the Reebok award 2002 for tennis. It has given him a taste of the appreciation and admiration a professional player can receive. Apart from numerous tennis awards, he dons a brown belt in karate. Athletic and fit, Tarun is focussed and seeks to tread the path he loves.

HE SAYS:

My role model is Australian tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt. Not only is he the number one player now, I admire his style of playing and quickness on the court. What I would really love to try is join a professional tennis camp in Australia to improve my skills. It is quite an expensive programme, but since I have cousins living in Sydney, it may work out during one of our summer visits there. I recently had the opportunity to participate in an eight-day intensive tennis course with Akhtar Ali, my instructor's dad. He is considered to be the top coach in India and was just awarded a lifetime achievement award.

It was incredible, because I picked up quite a few pointers and tried out new drills. When I grow up, I would like to pursue tennis professionally. My biggest fear would be not being able to achieve my goal. That's why having a good education and attending university is important. We all need to earn a living, and I think you should have enough money to live life comfortably.

Unfortunately, there are lots of talented kids who don't have the options we have. As a back up plan, I would like to study to become an engineer. I enjoy putting parts together, like making models or working with Lego. With technology constantly advancing, there is always something new. The only thing along with the positive aspects of progress is the negative, especially on the environment. I really believe if everybody recycles in their own way, it will help make the world a better place to live in.

Respect, consideration and how to behave with people are some things I have learned from my dad. I admire the way he deals with his friends, colleagues and others. Mom is always there for us, to guide and teach about what's good and bad. Having the right company and friends who share the same interest is important, she advises. Especially when we become teenagers and are tempted by various habits around us.

Most of my friends also enjoy playing outdoor sports, so I am always on the move and hardly at home. Tanisha, my nine-year-old younger sister, is quite a tomboy, so we play a lot together, especially tennis. My older sister Tanya is 14 and a pretty good piano player and ballerina. The value of self-discipline is something else mom emphasises. Most weekends Tanisha and I have tennis matches, so its important to get the right amount of sleep the night before. Speaking from experience, we now know that to maintain a good level of physical fitness and perform your best in competitions, it is important to eat healthy and be well rested. Training begins this month for becoming a ball boy, and I am quite excited.

The kids are selected from all schools, and we have to attend the ATP matches every day for two weeks. Among other things, we will be instructed to be quick and agile on our feet and develop courtside etiquette. I think it will be quite a memorable experience and certainly, a special birthday.