AITA Rejects Players Fresh Demands As CEO Says 'Players Have Agreed To Only Disagree'

The All India Tennis Association "outrightly rejected the rebel players’ fresh demands," saying that their inclusion in the Exec or Selection Committees is "not possible unless they enter the national federation through elections," according to the PTI. The organization also said that the three-member committee it has formed to resolve the ongoing crisis "would go ahead with its work and if players make themselves available, they will be considered for selection." Somdev Devvarman, who is leading the players’ revolt, has asked the national federation to re-constitute its Exec and Selection Committees by having 50% players representation "in the two bodies." The AITA had "acceded to most of the earlier demands." AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee said, “We want to resolve it honestly, but I think the players have agreed to only disagree. Some people are playing petty politics from outside and in the process they are jeopardising the careers of several players. It is like holding the country to ransom. They are destroying the careers of young players” (PTI, 2/7).