Vijay Amritraj.
| Picture Credit score: FILE PHOTO: SUDHAKARA JAIN
It was an evening of class, nostalgia and celebration as Chennai raised a toast to certainly one of its favorite sons, a nationwide icon and international ambassador, all rolled into one. On the Leela Palace right here on Monday, Vijay Amritraj was feted for his elevation in to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, which most among the many assembled gathering felt got here a contact late to a person who deserves all of the accolades and extra.
A tennis icon, broadcaster, actor, champion of social causes and sports activities administrator, Amritraj is a star of many components. Nevertheless, deep down he’s a quintessential Chennai boy with educational roots in Don Bosco College and Loyola Faculty. And this was the return of the native because the who’s who of this Southern metropolis rallied round to cherish him.
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Youth Growth and Sports activities Welfare Udhayanidhi Stalin effusively lauded the sporting legend to set the tone for an evening of appreciation. Chess maestro Viswanathan Anand stated: “No matter I attempted to do, Vijay had been there earlier than.”
Amritraj’s India team-mate Ramesh Krishnan spoke concerning the deep ties between the 2 households and elder brother Anand elaborated a few childhood of desires and naughty streaks.
The evening actually belonged to Amritraj who thanked the viewers along with his customary wit and charm, and stated: “I owe it to my mother and father, they have been two extraordinary individuals who did extraordinary issues with me.”
And to cap all of it, Boris Becker despatched throughout a video message and stated his prefix ‘increase increase’ was coined by his pal Vijay. It was that sort of evening, of delicate verbal drop pictures coated with an everlasting affection.
