AITA name U-14 series tourney in memory of Kiran Bedi's father

New Delhi: AITA on Monday christened its Under-14 National series tournament as Shri Prakash Lal Peshawaria Memorial, in the memory of late father of India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi.

Bedi inaugurated the tournament by releasing balloons DLTA Complex, here today.

112 children including 48 girls, are competing in the event for national ranking points.

"It was on the request of Ms. Bedi that AITA decided to the name the tournament after her father," DLTA Director Manpreet Kandhari was quoted as saying in a press release.

Speaking on the ocasion, AITA President Mr Anil Khana said, "We are happy to pay respect to all Peshawaria family today and this tournament is now in memory of Shri Prakash Lal. He spent a lot of time on tennis courts with his daughters. It's great honour for us to have the Peshawaria family with us on this ocasion."

Bedi was a touch emotional while addressing the young kids.

"It's the begining of a new phase in my life. A moment, which I will cherish. Anil's father (Mr R K Khana) and my father were contemporaries. My father will now live on through this tournament even when we all will have gone," Bedi said.

Bedi also felicitated a few DLTA officials, who have worked hard in the past few years for the development of the game.