AITA works out formula

The AITA on Sunday came up with a compromise formula to placate the revolting players as it accommodated some of their demands, such as change in support staff, but also kept its authority intact by keeping the final decision on all matters in its hand. The players had demanded to have a new team captain, coach, doctor and physiotherapist to which AITA agreed but did not accept the choice put forward by the players.The national tennis body has replaced coach Nandan Bal with Zeeshan Ali even as the players had preferred Aditya Sachdeva.The AITA decided that the team captain should be an experienced Davis Cup player and the coach should have at least been a former Davis Cupper. ‘This decision was taken by the Executive Committee so that Davis Cuppers have an opportunity to serve the nation even after their retirement. Accordingly, we are pleased to inform you that the new coach for the year 2013 for the Indian Davis cup team will be Zeeshan Ali,’ AITA said in a statement. AITA has also assured to change captain SP Misra after the South Korea tie. ‘The AITA Executive Committee felt that Mr SP Misra reserves befitting honour for his excellent contribution in handling the Davis Cup team, which performed creditably under his leadership. AITA EC has therefore, decided to retain Mr SP Misra as the captain of the Indian Davis Cup Team for the Korea Tie, where he will be befittingly honoured,’ the statement said. The other major bone of contention was the sharing of the Prize Money for the Davis Cup. AITA has decided to increase players’ share for Group I ties from 50 to 60 per cent as against 70-30 demanded by them.

However, AITA said it will raise the players share to 70 per cent if the team wins Group I. For World Group ties, the players’ share has been raised to 70 per cent from 60 although the players had demanded 80-20 in their favour.