Indian tennis has found itself in the midst of a major administrative crisis, with eight state tennis associations bringing a no-confidence motion against Anil Jain, President of the All India Tennis Association (AITA). The motion, which could result in Jain’s removal, marks an unprecedented moment in the history of Indian tennis.
The associations from Assam, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura have united to challenge Jain’s leadership, citing alleged misuse of funds and personal benefit from AITA resources.
EGM called amidst controversy
The no-confidence motion has led to the scheduling of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on September 28 in New Delhi. Curiously, the EGM is set to take place on the same day as AITA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where elections are due to be held. The results of these elections, however, will not be declared publicly and will instead be submitted to the Delhi High Court in a sealed envelope.
Anil Jain, who has held the AITA presidency since 2020, following an unopposed election, is now fighting to retain his position. Prior to his presidency, Jain served as the AITA Vice President from 2016 to 2020.
Allegations and defence of Anil Jain
Jain has vehemently denied the allegations brought against him. He insists that the state associations are retaliating because of his insistence on following the Sports Code in the upcoming elections. He has questioned the legality of the EGM, pointing out that proper notice was not given, and has threatened legal action.
“This EGM is illegal. A three-week notice is required to call any meeting. This meeting is null and void. I will take legal action,” Jain stated as per The bridge.
However, representatives from the state associations argue that the issue goes beyond the Sports Code. They accuse Jain of using AITA funds for personal travel and claim that he has manipulated the association’s governance for personal gains. A letter sent by one of the associations on September 21 accused Jain of breaching governance norms and using the AITA Trust to further his hidden agenda.
Calls for reform in Indian Tennis
Amidst the ongoing tensions, the state associations have called for a complete overhaul of the AITA leadership. One official remarked, “This is the time to clean the system and support the players. We are united, and after these elections, Indian tennis will change.”
If the no-confidence motion succeeds, Jain would be the first president in Indian tennis history to be ousted in such a manner, a move that could have lasting repercussions for the sport’s governance in the country.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Indian tennis hangs in the balance, with the EGM and upcoming elections set to decide the fate of the sport’s leadership.
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