The Aviva Ballkids trials for the Australian Open were held at the RK Khanna Stadium for the fourth year. 120 kids in the age-group of 12-15 years were short listed to attend the Aviva Ballkids trials.
The Aviva Ballkids trials for the Australian Open were held at the RK Khanna Stadium for the fourth year. 120 kids in the age-group of 12-15 years were short listed to attend the Aviva Ballkids trials.
The four lucky Indian kids selected to participate as an Aviva Ballkid and represent India at the Australian Open are Shashank Nautiyal, Sayesha Dalal, Mhiesilhouto and Khamgailung Gonmei.
Vishal Gupta, associate director-marketing, Aviva Life Insurance, says: "I congratulate the lucky winners who will travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open Championships as part of ‘Aviva Ballkids' programme.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these children as they will to share the court with the biggest names in the world of tennis. We hope that one of them will return, one day, to play the Australian Open Championships and make India proud."
The selection process was rigorous and took into account crucial factors such as hand-eye coordination, concentration levels, work ethic, reaction times, rolling of the ball and general tennis knowledge.
"Year after the year the Aviva ballkids become one of the high points of the Australian Open," Craig Tiley, Australian Open tournament director said.
"Their dedication, efficiency and tireless on-court efforts ensure they are a vital part of the fabric comprising the Australian Open community. Their grand slam experience will stay with them for a lifetime, and for those representing the Asia Pacific region, they have the opportunity to make friendships spanning many countries and cultures," Tiley continued.
Globally, Aviva is the only corporate to sponsor ballkids at a grand slam tennis tournament and has entered into a four-year deal with the Australian Open from 2005 to 2008. Including this year, 14 aspiring tennis players from India would have had the opportunity to attend the Australian Open as the Aviva Ballkids.
-ends-
For further information, please contact:
Pooja Garg Khan
Aviva Life Insurance
Phone: 0124- 2709082
E-mail: pooja.khan@avivaindia.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva India
Aviva Life Insurance is a joint venture between Dabur and Aviva. Current paid up capital amounts to 758 crores. Dabur are the 74% shareholder and Aviva the 26% shareholder. Aviva plc is the UK's largest insurance group and the world's oldest insurance group, with a history dating back to 1696. Today, it is the fifth largest insurer worldwide, with 40 million customers and £377 billion assets under management. Prior to nationalization, Aviva was the biggest of the foreign insurers operating in the Indian market.
Founded in 1884, Dabur is one of India's oldest and largest groups of companies with the group's consolidated annual sales in excess of Rs 2,233 crores. A professionally managed company it is the country's leading producer of traditional healthcare products.
Aviva pioneered the concept of Bancassurance in India, and has leveraged its global expertise in this area successfully in India. Bancassurance has been contributing close to 60% of the total sales of Aviva India. Through its branches and its Bancassurance partner locations, Aviva products are available in more than 1,600 towns and cities across India.
Aviva's products have been designed in a manner to provide customers flexibility, transparency and value for money. We have been among the first companies to introduce Unit Linked products in the market.
Aviva has a unique need based sales approach through the "Financial Health Check" (FHC). The FHC is a free service administered by our FPAs (Financial Planning Advisers) for a need-based analysis of the customer's long-term savings and insurance needs. Depending on the life stage and earnings of the customer, the Financial Health Check assesses and recommends the right insurance product for them.