Tennis row: Rebel players approach Sports ministry

In a desperate attempt to get back to the Indian Davis Cup team, the 11 rebel players have sought intervention of Sports Ministry to resolve the crisis but their effort is unlikely to bear any fruit with the ministry categorically stating that it has ‘no role to play in selection matters’. AITA was forced to pick an inexperienced side, which has only one top player in Leander Paes, to take on South Korea after the revolting players did not make themselves available by the stipulated deadline of January 11. Even the AITA Vice president Karti Chidambaram, who is said to be at loggerheads with the AITA top brass, has also written to the Ministry, saying that the national federation selected the team well before the ITF deadline.The last date to submit the squad is January 22. ‘We have written to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, requesting the Hon’ble Minister’s intervention into the stance adopted by the AITA, as well as an enquiry into the actions of the AITA.’