Kolkata

The trophy that Anastasia Myskina, last year’s winner of the Sunfeast Open, Kolkata took home with her was designed by a 12 year old student of St. John’s Diocesan School, Kolkata. It was for the first time that the trophy for international tournament was designed by a school kid – a feat enabled by the fact that ITC Foods conducted a “Design the Trophy Contest” for the school children of Kolkata inviting designs for the winners trophy.

Given the success of last year’s initiative, Sunfeast plans to extend this contest across the country. Hence the “Design the Trophy Contest” will see the participation of over 400 schools and 6 lakh students.

For the first time ever in the history of Indian sports school children have been involved to such an extent with a global level tournament like the Sunfeast Open.

The winning design would act as the inspiration behind the Final design of the trophy. Additionally the kid who wins the contest will also get a rare opportunity to appear on Ten Sports and meet leading tennis stars. The participating schools with maximum entries will also be rewarded with visits by leading tennis stars.

Says Mr. S. M. Ahmad, Executive Vice President - Marketing, ITC, “The Sunfeast Open 2005 Kolkata was recognised for its famed participation, the high quality tennis games as well as for its innovative initiatives that ensured greater involvement of kids and audiences with the tournament. The trophy Design contest last year was one such initiative that witnessed a heartening and enthusiastic participation level from children across the schools of Kolkata. This year the Trophy Design contest is being carried out in the top six metros with the aim of increasing the involvement of kids and audiences with this tournament across the country. This year we aim to enhance the popularity of the tournament through several such initiatives spread across the country.”

Entry forms will be distributed across schools in India and aspiring participants can use these forms to present innovative ideas and their views on the ideal trophy for the Sunfeast Open 2006 tournament.

All initial entries will undergo a preliminary screening and the best designs will be shortlisted for the final round. Thereafter a celebratory judges panel will further evaluate the shortlisted entries and arrive at the winning design.