Nar Singh, Rohini Lokhande win Dilip Bose Lifetime Achievement Award

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has announced the Dilip Bose award for lifetime achievement to coach Nar Singh. The first award would be presented to the 69-year-old Rohini Lokhande who was a member of the national team along with Kiran Bedi, Nirupama Mankad, Susan Das and Udaya Kumar, before she took to coaching at a young age.

About this award

The All India Tennis Association instituted a lifetime achievement award in the name of Dilip Bose in 2002. The award along with a cash prize of Rs.50,000 will be presented during the 11th National coaches workshop to be held at the PYC Hindu Gymkhana in Pune on June 7 and 8.

Who was Dilip Bose?

Dilip Bose was a professional tennis player from India. He played for the Indian Davis Cup squad and was the Asian championship winner. He worked as an administrator and coach after retiring. In honor of him, the All India Tennis Association established a lifetime achievement award in 2002. In 1949, Bose was victorious in the singles category of the first Asian Championships held at his Calcutta South Club. He was hence seeded 15 at Wimbledon in 1950. When he retired, he gave up the second round match to Netherlands’ Hans van Swol, with the final score being 6–4, 5–4. The doctors had told him not to play because he had only recovered a few days before from a severe case of malaria.

Brief about Nar Singh

The 65-year-old Nar Singh, who has served as a coach and educator for several years, will be the 11th recipient of the Dilip Bose award. His eldest brother Balram Singh was chosen for the award in 2011.

Brief about Rohini Lokhande

Rohini Lokhande became the first female National Institute of Sports qualified tennis instructor. Thousands of players in all age groups have received her instruction, and she has assisted many in becoming certified coaches.