[1]In an unprecedented move, the sports ministry stepped in to find a solution to the simmering differences between the All India Tennis Association and the three protagonists in the drama — Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes — in selecting the doubles tennis team for the London Olympics.
With the AITA choosing Bhupathi as Paes’ partner despite the former’s repeated requests to the contrary and Bopanna also rejecting the governing body’s suggestion to play alongside Paes, Indian tennis’ dirty linen is being washed in public.
Following Bhupathi and Bopanna’s mail to the ministry on Monday, wherein they sought the offices of sports minister Ajay Maken to step into the issue and help them participate in the Olympics as a team, the ministry dashed off a strong letter to the AITA president Anil Khanna. Mr Maken found merit in Bhupathi and Bopanna’s request.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/19heshjpgcropdisplayjpg-576