Panel set up to look into Natl duty

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) appointed a three-member committee on Sunday to look into the matters of events involving National duty.

The committee would comprise retired Supreme Court judge Deepak Verma, former chief secretary of Haryana M C Gupta and former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar. The decision was taken at the AITA's executive committee meeting.

“This panel will have its first meeting in the third week of February and submit its report within four months. It is expected that for the immediate Davis Cup tie in April, the committee will give its interim report so that all the players can participate in the tie,” AITA secretary-general Bharat Oza said in a statement.

AITA also appreciated the work of former Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal and trainer Sanjay Singh, who were replaced following the demands of the revolting players.
The committee named Balram Singh and Tahir Ali for the Dilip Bose Award which would be conferred at its National Coaching Workshop in Bangkok in March.

The executive committee also decided to conduct at least one challenger event this year besides ITF Futures and Junior events at Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

It also appointed Vece Paes as the medical advisor at AITA’s Sports Science Centre at the R K Khanna Tennis Stadium for the successful implementation of the programme in Delhi and other centres in India.

“Doctors will work and be trained under him for national duty for Davis Cup/ Fed Cup matches and other events. AITA Executive Committee also deeply appreciates the selfless services of Dr Vece Paes for the last two decades,” Oza said.

AITA also “voluntarily agreed” to follow the sports ministry’s age and tenure guidelines.