Keshav Pathak/ Pokhara Sports /The ITF World Tennis Tour J30 Circuit 1& 2 have kicked off in Pokhara from today, organized by the Kaski District Tennis Association (KDTA).
According to the association, 35 matches were completed on the first day of the first circuit. Japan’s world-ranked-1 player, Riku Higashi, defeated India’s Raunak Kashyap 6–0, 6–1 in straight sets. Higashi, who also visited Nepal last year, maintained his rhythm to secure his first win. Similarly, in the boys’ category, Nepal’s Sasham Bikram Shah beat India’s Shaunak Chatterjee 2–1 with set of 6–4, 3–6, and 6–3.
Nepali player Ayushman Hajar Ghale lost to India’s Amit Mund 6–4, 6–4 in the opening round. India’s Aditya More defeated compatriot Aarav Chawla 3–6, 6–2, 6–3. Meanwhile, India’s Adbvit Tiwari overcame Nepal’s Rajveer Pradhan 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, and India’s Saurya Samal outplayed Nepal’s Nishchal Kayastha 6–1, 6–1 in straight sets.
Nepalese player Darshil Shrestha, lost to India’s Ojash Mehlawat 6–1, 6–1 straight set on his home turf. Australia’s Pratik Navin defeated India’s Prakash Sharan 6–3, 6–0. India’s Veer Madam beat China’s Kejung Deng 3–6, 6–0, 6–2. Adhiraj Thakur triumphed over compatriot Shivtej Sirphule 6–1, 6–2, while Aashravya Mehra beat Vyom Shah 6–0, 6–1, as per tournament director Ajay Bista.
In the girls’ category, Nepal’s Shivali Gurung defeated India’s Vrandika Rajput 6–2, 6–0. China’s Yu Yu Liu won against India’s Nandini Kans 6–1, 4–6, 7–6(4), while Nepal’s Sunira Thapa triumphed over India’s Navy Dabas 6–0, 6–0. India’s Rit Arora beat compatriot Angel Patel 6–3, 6–3. Mongolia’s Marta Chogsomjav defeated India’s Mansi Singh 6–1, 6–0, and India’s Disha Behera beat Canada’s Nora Chaudhary 6–1, 6–1 & Tianran Dong of China defeated Sarah Chaudhary of India.
The tournament, inaugurated by Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, is being held at the tennis center in Pokhara Stadium. Speaking at the Opening ceremony Mayor Acharya emphasized the significant role of sports tourism in promoting tourism of Pokhara.
“Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province, is a tourism hub. Tourists come here not just for leisure but also for sports tourism,” Mayor Acharya stated. He urged everyone to promote tourism through sports and work collectively for the nation’s progress. He highlighted the importance of sports for personal and social health and as a symbol of national unity.
The mayor extended his best wishes to all participants and praised the efforts of the “Khelchha Gandaki” program in fostering young tennis players. He also assured continuous support from the metropolitan city.
Speaking at the event, Vice President of the Nepal Tennis Association, Binod Kayastha, noted that tennis has emerged as one of the world’s most attractive sports. He said that tennis in Pokhara contributes to extending tourists’ stays and stressed the need for state attention to build necessary infrastructure.
The inaugural program, chaired by the President of the Kaski District Tennis Association, Rajkumar Gurung (Raju), also included remarks from Secretary Bhishma Raj Poudel.
The tournament, running from December 2 to 14, features 105 players (70 boys and 35 girls) from 10 countries, including Nepal, Japan, India, China, the USA, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Korea according to Promotion Committee Coordinator Priti Baral,
The competition includes singles and doubles events for men and women in the 13 to 18 age groups. Winners will earn 30 points, runners-up 18, semi-finalists 9, quarter-finalists 5, and Round-16 players 2 points in singles. In doubles, winners will receive 25 points, runners-up 13, semi-finalists 6, and quarter-finalists 3 points. Winners and runners-up will also receive certificates and medals.
The tournament features top-ranked players such as Riku Higashi from Japan and Nepal’s fourth-ranked Arav Samrat Hada in the Boys category, and India’s number one Mahika Khanna and Nepal’s sixth-ranked Sunira Thapa in the Girls category.
Kaski Tennis Association Treasurer Bishnu Bahadur Thapa disclosed that the tournament would cost approximately 2.1 million Nepalese Rupees.
