Rohan Bopanna takes a dig at AITA. Find out why

rohan-bopanna
Rohan Bopanna took a dig at AITA. File pic

Internet Desk: India’s star tennis player Rohan Bopanna took a dig at AITA for not nominating him for the Arjuna Award yet again within the deadline; on the other hand the Federation replied that there was no point of sending his application as the veteran tennis player didn’t meet the requisite criteria.

The final date of sending the application was on April 28 but the All India Tennis Association (AITA) decided to send his name on June 14 after he clinched the French Open mixed doubles crown with his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski.

AITA had chosen Saketh Myneni, winner of two medals at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, for nomination and the awards selection committee stuck to the deadline.

In the past, Bopanna has been nominated several times but his application has always been rejected.

“We professional tennis players put in a lot to bring laurels to our country. And no one could question otherwise. However, it is when the system (the Tennis Association in this case) functions sloppily that is not only disrespectful but also robs one of the hope of a deserving acknowledgment,” Bopanna said in a scathing statement.

“I am calling out to the lack of professionalism and efficiency by AITA for not sending my nomination for the Arjuna Award before the deadline. I have witnessed many such excuses for the past decade (while I was eligible and my record didn’t falter) and then too, have never stood for it.”

However, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee said they had a reason for not sending his application this year.

“AITA did not send Rohan Bopanna’s application for Arjuna award this year since his application was getting rejected all these years because he has not won any medals for the country at the Asian Games,” Chatterjee told PTI from Cambodia, where he reached after attending the International Tennis Federation AGM in Vietnam.

“We knew why it was being rejected all the time.”

Asked why AITA decided to send his entry in June, Chatterjee claimed, “I took a chance since it was a Grand Slam. It’s like winning a world championship. So, we thought let’s send it now.”

Points are given for winning medals at the World Championship/World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships (biennial) and Commonwealth championships (biennial) while evaluating the applications by the committee.

Bopanna had skipped the Incheon Asian Games along with Somdev Devvarman and veteran Leander Paes as the Coorgi had points to defend on the professional tour.

AITA had allowed all senior players to miss the Games even though Sania Mirza decided to turn up for country after initially expressing her wish to skip the continental event.

Myneni had won the mixed doubles gold with Sania.

The AITA official said he understands Bopanna’s frustration.

“I do understand Rohan is disappointed for not getting the award, but it was because he did not meet the criteria for the award in 2016. He should see the criteria before making any comment,” he said.

Chatterjee said winning the Grand Slam title at Roland Garros makes him eligible for next year and they will certainly nominate him.

“We do feel he now meets the criteria after winning the mixed doubles of the French Open. AITA will again try for him next year,” he said.
Bopanna also chose to congratulate Myneni.
“I want to take this platform to congratulate Saketh Myneni on receiving this award. I couldn’t be more proud as I have seen him grow into the player and the man he is today,” Bopanna mentioned in his statement.