AITA on Wednesday put up a weak defence to Sania’s Mirza’s jibe taken at it, saying the selection for the London Olympics was done purely on merit and that it acknowledges the accomplishments of Sania.
Sania, who got a wild card entry into the Olympics, had on Tuesday night lashed out at All India Tennis Association (AITA) for using her as a “bait to pacify a disgruntled stalwart” (Leander Paes).
AITA had assured Paes a pairing with Sania in the mixed doubles event for the London Games after he was teamed up with lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan for the men’s doubles, following Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna’s refusal to play with him.
In doing so, AITA broke the Grand Slam winning combination of Sania and Bhupathi. But tennis body defended its selection process, saying Sania’s pairing with Paes was purely based on merit and that it helped the Hyderabadi in securing a wild card from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
“As regards selection of teams, the selection committee on 21st June, the last date for nomination, noted that Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna had made themselves unavailable for selection with Leander Paes despite efforts of AITA.
“The Committee then selected Leander Paes with Vishnu Vardhan as his doubles partner as Vishnu Vardhan was the preferred partner and also silver medalist in Asian Games,” the AITA secretary general Bharat Oza said in a statement.
“The committee also decided that wild card application be made for Somdev Devvarman and for Sania Mirza for both women’s singles as well as women’s doubles as without a wild card she will not be eligible to play mixed doubles.
“The committee, thereafter, selected world No. 7 and India No. 1 Leander Paes to partner world No. 12 and India No. 1 Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles Olympics event. With a combined ranking of 19 they were placed ninth in the top 12 teams to be eligible for mixed doubles. This selection is purely on merits as stated hereinabove,” the statement added.
Sania, in her hard-hitting statement, had said that AITA was portraying a wrong picture by saying she and Paes was the only possible qualification in the mixed doubles event for India.
AITA said it respects Sania and that her team with Paes was very much capable of fetching a medal at the next month’s Games.
“AITA respects all its players and is fully aware of the accomplishments of Sania Mirza as an excellent tennis player. AITA believes that Leander and Sania together are capable of producing fantastic results in the Olympics,” the statement said.
The national tennis body also appealed to the players to forget their personal differences for the sake of country’s interest.
“We earnestly appeal to all the players to unite together, shed off all their differences, stop going public and join hands together in the best national interest of winning medals for the country and to bring glory to the nation.”
Keywords: Sania Mirza, London Olympics 2012, AITA, Leander Paes
It is natural for any team sport to demand good rapport and understanding between players, and it is perhaps easier to play a good game when you know your comfortable with your teammate. But in our case players share a very poor off-court rapport that which is governed by ego and glory!
Paes must have asked for a higher ranked player in order to raise performance levels. But since the other players are unwilling to cooperate, he should either withdraw or just play with Vishnu! Besides, why is Sania making this issue a storm in a tea cup? Why should she call herself a bait? She either has to give the nod or simply disagree! Isn't it as simple as that? Everyone must cool down a bit and think! It's a pity all of them are over reactive and dramatic, if i should say!
Imagine the ego they will have if they are as talented as Federer, Nadal or Djokovic. They all play for their country with so much pride.
Mahesh, Rohan or Sania dont wont play with Leander. This clearly shows Leander has such a big head that no one likes to play with him.
Shame on Paes and Bhupathi if they really want to win a medal for themselves instead of the country.
It saddens me to learn that our tennis players are taking personal jibes at each other to play Tennis at this years Olympics. They all should be proud and happy to represent India at the Olympics and not themselves.
Paes need to be withdrawn from doubles event as most of the other players are not interested to play with him. how can others play with him if they forced to do so. Accepting Paes accomplishments for the past years and with all respect request him to withdraw from the doubles and mixed doubles and go for Singles. We feel now the AITA is acting upon Paes interest not nation's interest. if someone thretten's to withrow from Olimpics then the concerned person should be liable for the disaster.
Ms Sania's statement only goes to prove that our "monied" players have larger egos than their games. She has been lucky to have reached the level that she did and has dramatically fallen in her standings and today manages to do well with good partners. She is lucky to have got a wild card and be in the tournament and luckier to partner Leander Paes. Let her racket do the talking instead!! No ones denies that AITA has messed the whole thing!
Yet another case of the bureaucrats handled this in a shoddy manner.
Bhupathi and Paes might have won a few grand-slam titles; but they do
not get along well as a doubles team. So it was foolish of the
committee to ask them to play together without even consulting them.
And they decided to make Sania play with Leander even though she gets
along well with Mahesh and has won a couple of grand-slam titles.
Judging from her press release, she was also not consulted. One feels
sorry for the players. When will India wake up and get rid of these
arrogant officials who consider themselves high and mighty that they do
not feel the need to talk to those who deliver the goods.
Only days ago Sania and Mahesh won the French Mixed Doubles crown. Why the AILTA should separate the Grand Slam winning duo and force Sania to pair with Paes,is beyond comprehension.
Whatever maybe the reasons, it looks unfair that Sania does not get a chance to participate in the mixed doubles even after winning the French Open. AITA should move towards an alternative and make sure Sania's participation in mixed doubles.
Hooo great? then why mens double is not done by merit? Why 2 teams? Well said sania, wish you best of luck.
If players are not interested in representing the nation, then why we are after them? The spirit to play for the nation is to be there with every player. When people don't take pride in playing for the nation and have reservation against their own country sports person, then such people should better not be sent to olympics.
It is time the swollen head, Paes, to withdraw from the Olympics. Who do these people think they are ?
It would be better for Mr. Paes to withdraw (from doubles). Practically speaking, in the absence of willingness by other players he is unlikely to get the cooperation/chemistry they need to win the doubles. If his team loses the doubles tournament, it would be a bigger embarrassment, after such ado. However, in singles tournament he can shine and prove his mettle. Clearly and implicitly, Ms.Mirza has given that she is less inclined to partner Mr. Paes. So, it would be better for both and particularly Mr.Paes if he withdraws from doubles tournament.
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