Financial support to Sania sparks debate

Mandarins in Andhra Pradesh's sports ministry are crossing swords over Sania Mirza, and the issue is financial support to India's tennis sensation.

Ironically it is the state sports minister M Satyanarayana Rao, who thinks Sania is being pampered at the expense of talent in other sports.

But chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy ignored Rao's objections and gave Sania a grant of Rs 20 lakh last month.

"Enough sponsors. She is very rich. I don't think there is any necessity for further help. She does not require. As a matter of fact, she is in a position to give us,'' said M Satyanarayana Rao, Sports minister, Andhra Pradesh.

The government has since 2001 given Rs 99 lakh to Sania, which is the highest to any player.

Winning horse

The feeling in the corridors of power is that the government has not got the mileage it should, despite the support it has given, and the private sponsors have been hogging the limelight.

Sania wasn't available for comment, having decided to take time off both tennis and the media.

The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh however, says the government should continue to back a winning horse.

"She will be a role model not only in Andhra Pradesh but for the entire country. I hope that she breaks into the top ten and makes Sports Authority of AP proud,' said M S Raj Thakur, Chairman, Sports Authority of AP.

And now that a London weekly too has proclaimed Sania as one of the ten people capable of changing the world, support is not something she will be left wanting.