At the Dafa News Bengaluru Open, a CSR-led initiative turns elite sport into a life-shaping lesson for young minds from Devanahalli
Bengaluru, NFAPost: For a group of schoolchildren from rural communities around Devanahalli, Wednesday was not just another day outside the classroom—it was a first-hand encounter with ambition, discipline and the electric theatre of international sport.
In a heartening initiative, Kempegowda International Airport Foundation (KIAF), the CSR arm of Bangalore International Airport Limited, joined hands with the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association to organise a special student engagement programme during the Dafa News Bengaluru Open 2026.
Held at the iconic S M Krishna Tennis Stadium, the initiative offered students supported by KIAF’s flagship education programme Namma Shikshana a rare opportunity: to experience professional tennis up close, interact with leading Indian players, and witness the intensity of competition at an ATP 125 Challenger event.
Learning Beyond Textbooks
The students engaged in an interactive session with prominent Indian tennis professionals Saketh Myneni, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, and Anirudh Chandrasekar. Conversations ranged from balancing academics with sport to the mental discipline required to compete on the international circuit—questions that revealed both curiosity and growing aspiration among the young audience.
The defining moment of the day came courtside, as the students watched India’s top singles player Sumit Nagal battle France’s Harold Mayot in a riveting three-hour second-round contest. For many, it was their first experience of live professional sport—raw, intense, and unforgettable.
Voices from the Initiative
Reflecting on the programme’s intent, Bhaskar Anand Rao, Chief Financial Officer, BIAL, underscored the transformative power of exposure.
“At BIAL, we firmly believe that access to opportunity can change the trajectory of a young life. Through KIAF and initiatives like Namma Shikshana, our goal is to spark curiosity, confidence and ambition. Experiences such as the Bengaluru Open go far beyond sport—they open minds,” he said.
Tournament Director and Honorary Joint Secretary of KSLTA, Sunil Yajaman, echoed the sentiment, highlighting sport’s role as an inspiration engine.
“It was a pleasure to host students from KIAF at the Bengaluru Open. Watching live matches and interacting with professional players can leave a lasting impression on young minds. We hope this experience encourages greater interest in tennis, and KSLTA remains committed to supporting young aspirants,” he noted, while thanking BIAL and KIAF for their continued support of the tournament.
Sport as Social Impact
Established in March 2020, KIAF works across education, health, integrated development, water and sanitation, and culture and heritage—closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its Namma Shikshanaprogramme, implemented in partnership with the Karnataka government, focuses on strengthening government schools through improved infrastructure, digital learning, co-curricular exposure and holistic development.
At the Bengaluru Open, that philosophy translated into something tangible: wide-eyed students discovering that global stages are not distant dreams, but attainable goals.
In a week dominated by serves, rallies and scorelines, this quiet CSR-led engagement stood out as one of the tournament’s most meaningful victories—proof that when sport meets purpose, its impact can resonate far beyond the baseline.
