Sports & Coronavirus | Leander Paes advices coaches to focus on learning new skills during lockdown


Sports & Coronavirus | Leander Paes advices coaches to focus on learning new skills during lockdown

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Leander Paes, an Indian ace tennis player who was the guest in Education Webinar for coaches which was jointly organised by All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) adviced the coaches to focus on learning new skills.

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Paes said to utilise the time to be fit and active, “It is important to focus on learning new skills during the lockdown.”

Paes has been 18-time Grand Slam champion (mixed double and Men’s doubles) and he shared his knowledge with his fellow coaches.

Paes said, “What you all are doing is very special.”

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Paes shared his junior days and transition from junior’s to Men’s Circuit. The topics he covered are dealing with pressure, nutritional knowledge, his plans of taking his own knowledge pool to the schools and giving back, tips to coaches.

After being asked from one about which keeps him going on even at this age, he answered, “For me, the relationships that I have had through tennis are the things that I cherish the most. Those relationships over generations are what’s special.”

He felt overwhelming while recalling old relationships and had very special words for RK Khanna and Anil Khanna.

Paes said about his starting days and shared “When I started playing tennis, RK Khanna was the president of the AITA. I would not be who I am today without Khanna because he actually helped me in the Juniors, as a 14 or 15-year-old. He helped me get into the ITF Junior team. At that point, my family could not afford all the international coaching. And then after that Anil Khanna who was the President, took over the mantle of support.”

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He also thanked Bishwadeep and CEO of AITA for having him their over the last two decades in Davis Cup ties that Leander had played and for always being supportive.

Paes said, “It’s the relationships that I share around the world, is what keeps me going.”

Paes ended the session by saying, “Greatest joy you can have is to see your students do well at tennis. Use the sport as a vehicle to make them good human beings.”