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Bhushan
Tennis Academy
Bhushan Tennis Academy - Helping youngsters to achieve their dreams.
 All
work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Quite apparently, this phrase
was coined to underline the significance of sports in day-to-day-life.
Bhushan Tennis Academy (BTA) at Andheri in Mumbai
is a unique academy, in a class of its own, which not only helps
its young trainees to climb up the ladder at the national and state
ranking tournaments, but also guides them to secure full scholarships
worth Rs 30 to 40 lakhs in the prestigious Universities of the United
States.
One wonders why the Universities in US seek Indians instead of
the local students? Naga Bhushan, the director of the BTA
will satisfy your query ...“The standard of tennis is very
high in the US, with the youngsters turning towards the professional
circuit immediately after stepping out of the schools. Very few
choose to play for the Universities. That is why the Universities
in the US offer scholarships to Asians for the purpose of representing
them in inter-university tournaments.” Indeed this has
proved to be a boon for Indian students from the middle-class families
who cannot even dream of such an expensive proposition. They can
now pursue academics in US and enjoy the game of tennis as well.
Naga Bhushan established the first private tennis coaching center
in the western suburbs at Andheri YMCA in 1984. After 16 years,
the scenario has changed completely with the more than 100 tennis
coaching centers mushrooming from Andheri to Santacruz. Bhushan
established BTA in 1988 after years of accumulated experience as
a coach in the European countries. He worked as a chief professional
for Powa Sports, Holland in 1985, and as a Director for tennis
in Camp Candensis, Essex, UK in 1986. In 1987, he conducted
tennis coaching clinics in Singapore, UK and US.
 There
are several BTA trainees who had enjoyed a successful academic stint
in the Universities of US. At the moment, they are gainfully occupied
with lucrative jobs in the US and other European countries. Mohit
Raut joined BTA at the age of 6. He completed his HSC (Science)
from Bhavans College, and progressed to obtain a prestigious scholarship
in North Carolina University in US. He completed a 5-year integrated
course in Business Management and is currently working for a prestigious
finance company in Atlanta.
 Kuntal
Joshi is another another BTA trainee who did her HSC from Mithibai
College, Mumbai, and was selected for a 3-year integrated course
in Commerce by Pfeiffer college. Although she was an average performer
in the local circuit and ranked only 8th at the national level in
the under-18 category, she was recommended by Bhushan, as Pfiffer
needed a girl to represent them in intercollegiate tournaments.
At present, she is working for a finance company in the NewYork.
 American
Universities offer scholarships to Indians who are high achievers
in sports, and can score a minimum of 50 percentage in academics.
The scholarship comprises of free study, boarding, lodging, food
and travel allowances for the tournaments. Bhushan advises his students
to collect the brochures of American Universities from the American
Information Center at Churchgate, Mumbai. He also guides his students
to apply to Pfeiffer college, Temple University, Knox University,
Chicago University, and Washington University because it is easier
for Indians students to secure admission into these institutions
as the competition is comparatively higher in the University of
Florida, and University of NewYork.
How is BTA important in the scheme of things of American Universities?
Well, in addition to the certificates and letters of recommendation,
Bhushan himself talks to the authorities in American Universities
over the phone and convinces them of the aptitude and talent of
his wards. In a nutshell, BTA facilitates the easy access of scholarships
from American Universities and helps its trainees to scale new heights
in their career. In the words of Mohit Raut, who expressed his gratitude
in a letter to his tennis guru Naga Bhushan .... "Without
your support and encouragement, I could not have completed my graduation
in the US nor seen the statue of Liberty."
By: Wasim Siddiqui
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