It was an evening of magnificence, nostalgia and celebration as Chennai raised a toast to one in every of its favorite sons, a nationwide icon and world ambassador, all rolled into one. At the Leela Palace right here on Monday, Vijay Amritraj was feted for his elevation in to the International Tennis Hall 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 elements. However, deep down he’s a quintessential Chennai boy with educational roots in Don Bosco School and Loyola College. 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 Development and Sports Welfare Udhayanidhi Stalin effusively lauded the sporting legend to set the tone for an evening of appreciation. Chess maestro Viswanathan Anand stated: “Whatever I tried to do, Vijay had been there before.”
Amritraj’s India team-mate Ramesh Krishnan spoke concerning the deep ties between the 2 households and elder brother Anand elaborated a couple of childhood of goals and naughty streaks.
The night time actually belonged to Amritraj who thanked the viewers along with his customary wit and style, and stated: “I owe it to my parents, they were two ordinary people who did extraordinary things with me.”
And to cap all of it, Boris Becker despatched throughout a video message and stated his prefix ‘boom boom’ was coined by his pal Vijay. It was that type of night time, of delicate verbal drop photographs coated with an everlasting affection.