The All India Tennis Association(AITA) on Thursday outrightly rejected the rebel players'fresh demands, saying their inclusion in the Executive orSelection Committees is not possible unless they enter thenational federation through elections.
AITA also categorically said the three-member committeeit has formed to resolve the ongoing crisis would go aheadwith its work and if players make themselves available, theywill be considered for selection.
Somdev Devvarman, who is leading the players' revolt, hasgone a step further by asking the national federation tore-constitute its Executive and Selection Committees by having50 per cent players representation in the two bodies.
The AITA had acceded to most of the earlier demands putforward by them such as increased share in Davis Cup prizemoney, business class airfare, change in support staff apartfrom agreeing to consult the players while choosing thesurface and the venue for the home ties.
"We want to resolve it honestly but I think the playershave agreed to only disagree. Some people are playing pettypolitics from outside and in the process they are jeopardisingthe careers of several players," AITA CEO Hirnomoy Chatterjeetold PTI from Kolkata.
"They have very little knowledge of how the federation isformed and how it works. If they want to come into AITA andmake changes, they are welcome but first they need to getelected in a state association, which would then nominate themto the national body. How can they think of coming directly?"he asked.
"It is like holding the country to ransom. They aredestroying the careers of young players."
Chatterjee contended that even if they want to have players' representation, it was not possible.
"We follow the IOC Charter, government's sports code andthe constitutions of both the ITF and the AITA. Based on that,there is no scope to do what they are saying since theconstitution does not permit it," he said.
Chatterjee said since AITA was sincere in its effortsto resolve the issues, it has written to Somdev asking forhis suggestions on the surface to be chosen for the next tiein April against Indonesia.
"Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association has offered tohost the tie. Theirs are medium-fast bouncy courts. So we haveasked for Somdev's viewpoint on this. If they are okay withit, we will hosts the tie there," he said.
"Further, we are discussing Somdev's latest mail and wewill respond to him in due course."
The players have expressed reservations over thethree-member committee formed to resolve the crisis, fearingbias but AITA said it would go ahead with its work.
"The Committee will do its job. If the players makethemselves available, only then they will be considered forselection," he said.