Moving in on Chidambaram

The tennis federation does not like dissent even if it comes in the form of constructive criticism from its own ranks. Its president Anil Khanna has over the years shown a distinct intolerance for anything contrary to his own views. Sukhwant Basra reports.

The tennis federation does not like dissent even if it comes in the form of constructive criticism from its own ranks. Its president Anil Khanna has over the years shown a distinct intolerance for anything contrary to his own views.

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Karti Chidambaram is one of the more outspoken vice presidents of the body. He has been urging for changes in the Davis Cup team support staff as well as selection for quite some time. His suggestions threaten to upset the status quo of non-performers holding on to their places.

As such the body's main players are most eager to oust the junior Chidambaram. The executive committee of the association meets in Chandigarh on Saturday and one of the items set to come under discussion is whether Chidambaram can continue to be vice president since he is also president of the Tenpin Bowling Federation of India.

Apparently, there is a lot of ambiguity in the tennis body's constitution as to whether a vice president is an office bearer or not. However, it is quite clear that no single individual can be an office bearer in two federations.

One suspects that this move is nothing more than an attempt by the body's president to consolidate his hold. Chidambaram has been a vociferous critic of many a silly policy in Indian tennis and has been the only office bearer to raise a significant amount of money for budding players.

If he goes, it will be a loss even if it suits the interests of the powers that be.