New Delhi, Jul 16 (IANS): The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) will set up a residential tennis academy at its newly refurbished complex here.

To start with, the DLTA plans to induct 10 boys and 10 girls in this scheme, which will become operational later this year after the Fenesta-DSCL nationals are held in October.

The boarding and lodging of elite players will be taken care of in the academy. There will be facility for free coaching and travel with team coaches for various tournaments.

"Twenty players will be selected by a committee consisting of the captains of the Indian Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams, S.P.Misra and Rohit Rajpal, and captains of the junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup teams," said Ranbir Chauhan, joint director, DLTA.

"The sports ministry has agreed in principle to provide assistance of a foreign coach and trainer to the tune of around $7,000 to $8,000 per month. The additional amount will be borne by the academy," he said.

"The project will cost Rs.4 to 5 crore per annum and efforts will be made to rope in sponsors, involve the government and use internal accruals," Chauhan said.

DLTA has already established a state of the art fitness centre and is in discussion with a leading foreign institute for establishing an orthopedic injury treatment and rehabilitation centre which will also include sports psychologists and sports nutritionists.