Hopes take a hit as AITA slams ‘unprofessional’ Paes
JAKARTA/NEW DELHI: If a controversy strikes Indian contingent, expect tennis to be at the centre of it. A day before the start of the Asian Games, Leander Paes has withdrawn citing lack of ‘doubles specialist’ for him in the squad, leading to a lot of negativity within the contingent. The squad, already without top players like Sania Mirza and Yuki Bhambri, has been hit hard.
Back home, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) was stunned with the last-minute pullout and called it ‘unprofessional’ as it meant there could be no replacement and combinations have to be reworked.
A senior Indian Olympic Association official in the entourage expressed surprise.
“Playing for the country is the biggest honour and I hear Leander wears his patriotism on his sleeve, so I don’t understand why he decided to issue a press release on his own without first informing the IOA,” said the official, who did not wish to be named.
Leander, who was returning to the Asian Games after missing the 2010 and 2014 editions, issued a statement late Thursday night saying
he was withdrawing since he did not get the partner of his choice.
AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee said they cannot select a team on ‘whims’ of a player. “There is a reason why there is a selection committee. We had limited resources and we had to pick only six players. Three singles players were chosen because if one gets injured, then where will we get a second singles player?”
“Leander gave his availability and that is why he was selected. He was in touch with coach Zeeshan Ali but he informed of his pullout only late last night (Thursday). It is unprofessional and not expected from a player of his stature. We can’t have a replacement now and he has deprived a player from being selected for the Asian Games,” Chatterjee said.
“Our chances are also hurt as Leander would have played with Ankita Raina in mixed doubles,” he said.
The selectors picked Ramkumar Ramanathan, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Sumit Nagal in singles while Rohan Bopanna, Divij Sharan and Paes were chosen for doubles.
With Paes missing, two singles players will have to form the second doubles team. Zeeshan Ali will have to give the final entries on Saturday. “It is very disappointing and a setback for the team. If he had informed earlier at least we could have made the changes,” said Zeeshan.
“Now we do not have a second doubles team. I have three singles player to pick a second pair. Also in mixed doubles Divij will have to step up. It is hot and humid out here so I cannot have any player compete in more than two events,” he added.