Rebels’ fresh demands rejected by tennis body
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has rejected the fresh demands made by Somdev Devvarman, writing on behalf of the warring 11 players.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has rejected the fresh demands made by Somdev Devvarman, writing on behalf of the warring 11 players.
On Wednesday, Devvarman requested the AITA to set up “a new executive committee and selection committee which consists 50% of AITA officials, 50% of players' representatives”.
“We have been fair and clear. There are norms. To be able to come into the federation, one needs to be elected in a state association. Then, one would have to be nominated to the national body. We follow the IOC Charter, the government's Sports Code and constitutions of the ITF and AITA. Based on that, there is no scope to do what they are saying since the constitution does not permit it,” AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee told HT on Thursday.
Work to continue
On the three-member committee set up to mediate between the players and parent body, Chatterjee said the committee would talk to the top-20 male and female players of the country to come to an understanding of what the players, who could be selected for national duty in the future, needed. “The committee's work will continue. If the players make themselves available for selection, they will be considered. Regarding the selection committee, of the five members present, two are former players who had represented India,” he pointed out.
He added that AITA sent an email to the Davis Cup captain and coach regarding the surface of the home tie against Indonesia in April. “They will talk to the players and let us know because we have to intimate the ITF by February 13.” Last month, the rebels had stated that no written communication was sent to them regarding AITA's decision on agreeing to increase the Davis Cup team size and give business class tickets even for Asia/Oceania Group ties. “We have sent them in writing that as well today but are yet to receive a response.”