New Delhi: CNN-IBN's Associate Editor (sports), Digvijay Singh Deo got hold of the email sent from Anil Khanna to Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi and Anil Khanna, dated March 10, 2012 in which the All-India Tennis Association president assured the pair that no decision regarding India’s London Olympic participation would be taken without consultation.
Below is the full text of the email.
Dear Mahesh & Rohan,
Thanks very much for your e-mail of 9th March 2012. At the outset I must state that you are two of the greatest champions for Indian Tennis and your contribution to Indian Tennis is not less than any other players. Your commitment to India to win an Olympic medal is well recognized and comes straight from your heart.
As regards the dates for Olympics, AITA was required to send its entry for men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles and women’s doubles by 2nd April. This application is not by name, but is only an entry for the event. This has been done and has been duly endorsed by the Indian Olympic Association and ITF has also acknowledged receipt of our entry.
As regards Mixed Doubles, the rule is as under: -
"The ITF will select doubles teams for direct acceptance from mixed doubles entries comprising players accepted in the singles and/or men’s/women’s doubles events, received from National Associations no later than Tuesday 31 July 2012 at 11.00, taking into account the recognized international singles and doubles computer rankings of 11 June 2012. A maximum of two (2) women and two (2) men, two (2) mixed doubles teams, from any one country may compete in the mixed doubles event."
I will just like to highlight that on 14th June 2012, the ITF will be sending out the names of those players eligible for Direct Acceptance based on their World Ranking of June 11 to the relevant National Associations and National Olympic Committees. At the same time, the ITF will send out Application Forms to National Associations and National Olympic Committees for the ITF Final Qualification Places. Nominations for these places must be sent out to the ITF by 21 June 2012 and a final decision on the ITF Final Qualification Places will be made by 28 June 2012 by the ITF Olympic Committee.
It should be therefore, clear that entries by name will be sent only by 21st June 2012. AITA is fully aware that we have great possibility of having two doubles teams in the Olympic main draw either based on 2 or 3 players being in the top 10 or because of the combined rankings of the players. I have already discussed this matter with Mr Juan Margets, Vice President of ITF about 10 days ago. He had informed me that any combined ranking below 50 will easily qualify for direct acceptance.
On behalf of AITA, I would like to assure you that no decision will be taken for such an important event without consulting the players involved. This means that if we have possibility of 2 doubles teams, the players who would be involved are yourselves, Leander &Somdev. I am more than confident that your sentiments, which you have expressed and which come from your heart, cannot be ignored by the people responsible for selecting the final teams. In fact AITA is proposing to write to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports as well as Indian Olympic Association to have a nominee each along with senior players for selecting the best two combinations. This meeting will obviously take place only after 14th June and I can assure you that no decision will be taken without speaking to the players and taking all of you into full confidence.
In the meantime I express my gratitude to you for your selfless opinion of keeping yourself away.
With warm regards and wishing you all the best,
Anil Khanna
Comments
0 comment