Gulbarga, Oct 6 (UNI) In all 22 International players from 14 countries, besides Indian tennis players can be seen in action vying for top honour in USD 15,000 'Gulbarga Open' ITF Tennis tournament being held here from October 22 to 28.

Disclosing this to newsmen here, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey, who is also Organising Committee head, said that the World Ranking Men's Tennis Tournament had been sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the Tournament was being organised under the auspices of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA).

He said that 'Gulbarga Open' carries a prize money of USD 15,000.

The main draw would comprise of 18 Direct entries, eight Qualifiers and Four wild card entrants and the single draw of 32 and double draw of 16.

Mr Pandey said that the Tournament was being held in the backward Gulbarga city as part of the KSLTA's initiative to take Tennis to the masses.

He said that the Courts at the Chandrasekhar Patil Stadium were being relaid and flood lights were also being erected to enable the matches to be played in the evening.

Doordarshan Sports Channal would telecast live the semi-final and final matches, Mr Pandey added.

UNI