Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza elected to AITA Executive Committee

Indian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have been elected to the executive committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), marking a major step towards greater representation of former athletes in Indian tennis governance.

The duo secured their places on the 15-member executive committee after being elected for the first time as the Athletes of Outstanding Merit (SOM) representatives to the AITA General Body. Bhupathi got 23 votes, the most among the candidates, while Sania got 18 votes in the executive committee election.

Their inclusion is part of wider governance reforms aimed at giving veteran athletes a greater say in the functioning of national sports federations. The amended AITA constitution provides for two SOM representatives on the Executive Committee, with one position each reserved for a male and a female representative.

Also Read: Chennai Open: Maaya Rajeshwaran India’s last singles hope as Vaishnavi Adkar bows out

Earlier, Bhupathi and Sania got 19 and 18 votes respectively in the general body elections. Ashutosh Singh and Shalini Thakur Chawla were the other two candidates elected as SOM representatives.

SANIA, BHUPATHI WANT TO IMPROVE INDIAN TENNIS

After her election, Sania said the aim was to use their experience as professional athletes to understand the demands of the players and contribute to the development of Indian tennis.

“I think we’re just trying to use our experience to try to understand what the players need more. I think it’s too early to say exactly what because there’s still a lot of things to get right with the president, vice president, EC. There’s still a lot to do,” Sania told ANI.

“Our vision and our goal are one, which is to try to improve Indian tennis. And I think we all came here with that vision,” she added.

Sania also emphasized the importance of building a comprehensive support system for upcoming players, including quality coaching, tournament exposure, counselling, fitness support and access to physios and trainers.

Meanwhile, Bhupathi brings considerable administrative and international playing experience to the table. The former world number one doubles player has won 12 Grand Slam titles, including four in men’s doubles and eight in mixed doubles.

Sania, who retired from professional tennis in February 2023, rose to world number one in women’s doubles in 2015 and won six Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

AITA elections are scheduled to take place on November 27. Their inclusion on the Executive Committee gives two of India’s most successful tennis players the opportunity to contribute directly to the governance of the sport and help shape its future.

– The end