Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Friday sought to steer clear of the furore surrounding the controversial tennis team selection for the London Olympics but said the feuding players should put national interest first.
“It is not the job of the Ministry, we do not participate in the selection process. Things like these should have been worked out long back,” Mr. Maken told reporters here when asked about the continuing drama that is still playing out despite the All India Tennis Association’s decision to send two men’s doubles team.
“We can only appeal to the players through media and we have done that. This is the Lakshman rekha and let us not cross that. Let us not disturb the sanctity of this Lakshman rekha,” he added.
Despite a compromise formula — under which Leander Paes has been paired with a much-lower ranked Vishnu Vardhan and Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna have been allowed to team up for the big event — the furore seems far from settled.
Paes is apparently unhappy at being paired with a lower-ranked Vishnu and has threatened to pull out. AITA has sent one of its selectors to London to try and pacify him.
Asked if he would also chip in to douse the controversy, Mr. Maken said, “As per the laid down norms of the IOC, the federation decides if at all any other organisation can come in. The ministry cannot interfere and the ministry never interferes.
It will set a bad precedent. I wish them all the best. I appeal to the players that they think about national interest first,” he added.
Keywords: AITA, Leander Paes, 2012 London Olympics
It is a pity Bhupathi and Bopanna have not been able to see the difference between representing India and playing in prize money tournaments. It would have been ideal for Paes and Bhupathi to have partnered in the Olympics given their career track records. Even tennis experts have pointed out the ridiculous situation of two left court players Bhupathi and Bopanna being chosen as a doubles team. Paes has always been a true patriot and the legion of his supporters in this country hope he would show what he is capable of even with a lowly ranked partner and a stand out performance would give a resounding slap on the faces of Bhupathi and Bopanna who have been unable to see the difference between playing for prize money and playing for the country. In his long illustrious career Paes has been a stand out performer for the country and done the nation proud on several occasions which cannot be counted just on one's finger tips. Bhupathi and Bopanna should have behaved as shishyas.
It is the sacred duty of anyone with brains to point out flaws in a system and speak up. People participate (provide feedback) to make and correct rules and regulations and to enable a civil society to progress. That is democracy. By putting himself on the line Bhupathi has performed a service more valuable for the present and future of Indian Tennis. He definitely also has hands on management experience which allows him to look through a prism many ways rather than the narrow spectrum.
Maken has done incalculable damage to the Cause of sports and that of tennis in particular by forcing the hands of AITA in allowing the balck mailing tactics of Bhupathi & his sidekick go through. Did the sports Minister at that time advise Bhupathi and his rebels not to defy AITA & instead to play for the country? When it comes to a person like Paes who has a track record of playing for the nation passionately every one , even clowns talk about national interest !
It is surprising that nincompoops like Maken are in the helm of affairs wjere they have no business to be in and what is more, muddying the waters by clowning around.
well said Mr.Maken, Instead speaking make some quicik action on all the sporting body to funtion fair and transparent.
What is the national interest in tennis. Is it going to bring down
inflation rate or provide food for the masses. National interest would
be served if the olympic team is scrapped and valuable exchange and
expenses saved.
we never expected this sort of indifferent attitude from TENNIS PROS
(except SANIA MIRZA who is willing to play for the NATION with any
partner). its shame on part of PEAS, BHUPATHI & BOPANNA. we participate
in OLYMPICS for the NATION. winning is loosing we never see. Just
participating is itself is a BIG ACHIEVEMENT. Hope the big three realise
and apologise the NATION.
Leander Paes insists that he wants to 'play for the nation' but not with Vishnu Vardhan. His father, in an interview published yesterday, accused Bhupathi and Bopanna of putting their personal interests above those of the nation. Bhupati and Bopanna regret that the AITA is forcing them to play with Paes, while they (too) want to play for the nation... I feel very sorry for Vishnu Vardhan. I'm sure he wants to play for the nation too...
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