‘SURPRISED BY ITF’S DECISION TO SHIFT TIE’

New Delhi, Nov. 7: The national tennis federation on Thursday said an unflattering perception was being created about it in the wake of Mahesh Bhupathi’s removal as captain when it actually selected Rohit Rajpal because the ITF till the last moment had not given the impression that it will move the Davis Cup tie out of Islamabad.

Hours before the ITF announced shifting of the tie to a neutral venue, Aita appointed Rohit Rajpal as new captain in place of Bhupathi, who along with top players had made themselves unavailable for the tie, which ITF had rescheduled to November 29 to 30.

Exasperated at Aita’s decision to remove him, though he was available for the job at a neutral venue, Bhupathi said it is not acceptable to him that he is being fired for not showing up for national duty.

The All India Tennis Association CEO Akhouri Bishwadeep while addressing the media said that a perception is being created that they take decisions in autocratic manner which was not true.

“AITA has utmost regard for Mahesh Bhupathi and other players. The last few months have not been easiest for us due to uncertainties. But a perception of AITA management is being created which is not flattering. Contrary to that perception we wish to state unequivocally that AITA has respect for players and stakeholders,” Bishwadeep said.

“The decision of change in venue was victory of soft diplomacy and quiet persistence of AITA. However, in the last three months the ITF never gave an impression that it would agree to a change in venue,” he added.

Bishwadeep said Bhupathi had even suggested that India should take loser’s spot if ITF does not agree to shift the tie.

“In the emergent meeting on October 15 we decided that India will not forfeit the tie nor it would take loser’s spot. India would go ahead and field the team. Bhupathi himself gave seven names of players who were willing to travel to Pakistan.

“Bhupathi had already informed that he would not travel to Pakistan as his family was not in favour of that. Considering the likelihood of the tie being held in Islamabad, it was important to decide on captain, who had the maturity and calmness to deal with the sensitive tour.”

The decision of change in venue was victory of soft diplomacy and quiet persistence of AITA. However, in the last three months the ITF never gave an impression that it would agree to a change in venue. — AKHOURI BISHWADEEP AITA CEO