New Delhi: Ahead of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections, former Indian tennis players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja have challenged the national federation over breaching the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The AITA elections are scheduled to be held on September 28.
In a petition filed by Somdev and Purav in the Delhi High Court on Monday, the two players have pointed out that AITA has violated many provisions of the Sports Code, including ‘lack of any seats for athletes in the Central Council/General Assembly of AITA, lack of any mechanism for athletes to elect eminent sportspersons of outstanding merit to represent them in the Central Council/General Assembly, lack of reservation of seats for athletes in the Executive Committee and lack of any mechanism whereby athletes are elected from the Central Council/General Assembly to the Executive Committee’, as reported by The Indian Express.
According to a report by The Tribune, Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, who paired in the doubles during their playing days, want the Sports Ministry to ensure that AITA comply with the Sports Code. Until the compliance isn’t met, the general elections of the federation should be halted, as the two players filed petition before the Delhi HC.
“It is submitted that it is essential that AITA as well as its constituents must comply with the Sports Code and the Ministry ought to be directed to ensure that AITA and its constituents are fully compliant with the requirements of the Sports Code as a condition for continued recognition only thereafter fresh elections may be directed to be held in fair transparent and democratic manner,” the petition said, The Tribune reported.
“Appoint a retired judge of the Hon’ble Court Supreme Court or of this Hon’ble Court or any other High Court as an Administrator of the Respondent No.2 AITA, with an honorarium to be paid by the Respondent No.1 and / or Respondent No.2 AITA, and with permission to employ such professionals and other qualified individuals to assist the Administrator in this process,” the petition added.
Who are key contenders in AITA elections this time?
Gujarat State Tennis Association (GSTA) president Chintan Parikh is involved in a direct contest with Rohit Rajpal, India’s Davis Cup captain, for the president’s post. Rajpal is also the president of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA).
Meanwhile, The Tribune report mentions that Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association secretary Sunder Iyer and former player Dinesh Arora will be appointed uncontested for the posts of ‘secretary general’ and ‘treasurer’ at the AITA.
Anil Jain is the current president of AITA and Anil Dhupar holds the position of secretary general in the national federation.
Ahead of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections, former Indian tennis players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja have challenged the national federation over breaching the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The AITA elections are scheduled to be held on September 28. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
