India’s Tennis player Sasikumar Mukund has landed himself in trouble. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is contemplating action against the 26-year old for not wearing the official India jersey during the recently concluded Davis Cup tie against Morocco. Mukund wore a jersey provided by his personal sponsor. To make matters worse, the jersey had the ‘India’ spelt wrongly.
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According to a report from PTI, AITA issued a show-cause notice to Mukund on September 28. He was asked to explain why action should not be taken against him for not wearing the official Indian jersey. Mukund had replied back on October 3 stating that the shorts he received from OOK, the official sponsor of the Indian jersey were ‘not comfortable’.
Mukund had also explained that he sought prior permission from India’s non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal and Zeeshan Ali to wear the jersey of his personal sponsor.
Sasikumar Mukund explains spelling fiasco
The jersey that Sasikumar Mukund wore during his Davis Cup debut had India printed with an extra ‘I’. Mukund stated that he had received eight T-shirts from his sponsor. However he picked up the only jersey that had the wrong spelling by mistake.
“I have immense respect for my country. I would never do something intentionally to tarnish its inage,” he wrote in his reply to AITA and apologised for his mistake.
Miscomunication between Mukund and Rajpal
AITA got back to Mukund on this issue on October 13. It stated that he was not granted any permission by captain Rohit Rajpal to wear the jersey and asked him to further clarify his stand.
Speaking to PTI Rajpal said, “Let me say there is some mis-communication. To put things correctly, all players should wear the official jersey without exception. We are playing for India. I would even let go of the sponsorship money also if you are playing for India.”
Mukund however said it was Rajpal who had allowed him to wear the jersey of his sponsor. “Only the kit was provided by the official sponsor. There was no money involved. The players were not given any sponsorship fee for this tie. Captain Rajpal understood this and allowed me,” he said.
“The pockets of the shorts provided by the official sponsor were such that the balls were coming out. My personal sponsor Indian Tee pays me. So what’s wrong in wearing it. These are the reasons that the players lose interest in playing for the national team,” added Mukund.
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AITA introduces players code of conduct
Soon after this incident, the AITA has introduced players code of conduct. AITA General Secretary Anil Dhupar said, “The players code of conduct is before the Executive members. It will come into effect immediately. It is for all players be it men’s women’s boys or girls.”
About a possible action against Mukund, he said, “Mukund has apologised. But we are discussing the matter.”
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