Kolkata , December 23 : Indian tennis ace Leander Paes would not like to see a repeat of the selection controversy in the Indian team for Rio Olympics next year . Paes wants to see the Indian team announced well in advance for the Rio Games , so that the players can prepare themselves well for the event .The All India Tennis Association (AITA) had to send two men’s doubles team , comprising of Bhupathi / Bopanna and the other comprising of Paes and Vishnu Vardhan. It was no less than a Bollywood drama , with the country’s prime minister having to intervene . Leander , being the highest ranked player then , did not get the opportunity to chose who he wants to partner in the men’s doubles . The veteran of 17 Grand Slam titles , Paes has long dreamt of winning another Olympics medal . At the age of 43 years , Leander’s last chance for doing so will be at the Rio Olympics . The 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze winner saw his dream got shattered at London Games . Speaking at a function in the city , Leander wants the AITA to announce the squad well before the event so that he can mentally prepare himself . Leander feels the best chance for him and India to win an Olympics medal is to get Rohan Bopanna as his partner for the mens doubles and Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles . According to Paes , “I had at least two and half years to prepare myself for the Atlanta Games . I had trained at high altitude trying to get acclimatized to the conditions that existed in Atlanta . I used to practice at the hard court and had my practice calendar ready . As a sportsman you need to prepare yourself well if you are aiming to do well and I am no different .”
Leander is also on the verge of getting his name on to the Guiness Books as he will be the only tennis player in the world to have represented his country for seven consecutive Olympics .He also put an end to the speculation that he will hang his boots after the Rio Games . Paes made it very clear that he will continue to play the sport as long as he is enjoying mentally and physically . “ I am not going to retire after the Rio Olympics . I am going to continue playing the sport as long my body permits and I am enjoying . I do not think age is a criterion for any sportsman to call it a day . ”
Paes ,A multiple Grand Slam winner and Padma Bhushan Awardee, was in the city to attend a function for the forthcoming Kolkata Marathon for which he is the “ Face of the Event .”The 9th edition of the Kolkata Marathon will take place in the City of Joy on 6th March 2016 .
The marathon will have 5 race categories – Full Marathon – 42.195 Km, Half Marathon – 21.097 Km, Open & Corporate Challenge – 10 Km each and the Fun Run – 5 Km. This annual property is among the few full marathons in India and has grown from 6,000 participants in its debut 9 years ago, to 15,000 participants in 2015. This is also an official qualifier race for the Rio Olympics.
Leander was delighted to be a part of the Kolkata Marathon , “I am delighted to be associated with the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Marathon. Kolkata has a special place in my heart as I have spent many formative years of my life here. To see the event grow from the first edition to the ninth edition, in terms of participation and even awareness in the city has been an interesting journey. One cannot emphasise the importance of good health enough, and with running, you can simply just get up and go! I’m proud to be a part of the Kolkata Marathon in my home city, and urge people to come out in great numbers.”