Suryaa Sports Desk: Tennis players Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi have been elected to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Executive Committee under the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) quota. Their inclusion follows national sports administration reforms and new guidelines designed to integrate former international athletes into key decision-making roles within sports federations.
Under the amended AITA regulations, four SOM representatives are elected to the General Body, from which two are appointed to the 15-member Executive Committee. In the initial General Body polling, Mahesh Bhupathi secured 19 votes and Sania Mirza received 18 votes, placing them at the top. Ashutosh Singh and Shalini Thakur Chawla were also elected as SOM representatives to the General Body. Following the Executive Committee elections held on Thursday, Bhupathi and Mirza were appointed as members of the governing body.
Regarding the appointment, Sania Mirza stated that the goal is to improve the future of Indian tennis. She noted that they intend to utilize their experience as players to provide young athletes with necessary infrastructure, training, and a competitive environment. Sports circles have expressed optimism regarding the involvement of Mirza, a former world number one with six Grand Slam titles, and Bhupathi, who holds 12 Grand Slam titles, in the administrative affairs of Indian tennis.
