Mhieslhouto (left) of Nagaland and Khamgailung of Manipur, among the ball kids selected for the Australian Open [ Images ] '09, at a function in New Delhi [ Images ] on Monday.

The kids, who belong to the Nagaland Tennis Association (NTA), will continue the recent tradition of Indian ball kids at Melbourne [ Images ] Park.

In 2005, as part of their centenary celebration, the organisers of the Australian Open, in a bid to increase Asian participation, had selected amongst others four ball kids from India [ Images ].

About 200 kids in the age group of 12 to 15 years, from all over India, assembled for the three-day programme.

As part of the programme, a clinic for coaches training has been organised for the Indian coaches, by the Aussie legend Peter McNamara.

For the 2006 edition, Life Insurance company Aviva [ Get Quote ] conducted a ball kids trials in New Delhi in November 2005. The six kids selected got a chance to go to Melbourne.

And with the two NTA kids going, the tradition will continue.

Photograph: PTI