CHENNAI: In a new twist to the election drama of the All India Tennis Federation, Davis Cup captain and former India player Rohit Rajpal has decided to contest the upcoming election for the post of president. With interim AITA president Chintan Parikh too expected to contest, the election has turned more intriguing.
Rajpal, in a statement announced his intention to contest the elections. He said that he has served the sport as a player and non-playing captain as well as in various other capacities and now is ready to serve as an administrator.
“Tennis is not just a sport for me, it has been my life, since the time I was a young boy who wished to make it big. At 55, when many summers have passed, my heart still beats for Indian tennis," Rajpal said in a statement announcing his candidature. He said that his involvement in tennis matter with AITA and Delhi Lawn Tennis Association has given him confidence to tread into new waters. He is the DLTA president and also AITA vice president.
He would qualify as per the new National Sports Governance Act 2025, wherein the candidate needs to be part of executive board of current National Sports Federation/National Olympic Committee or office bearer of state association. He is the president of the DLTA.
"This journey has given me the confidence to now step forward and announce my candidature as president of All India Tennis Association as a step forward in my desire to contribute to the growth and development of tennis in India," he further added.
Rajpal said that India's dream of hosting the Olympics in 2036 has driven him to get into administration and bring in changes that would be beneficial for players. The Beijing Asian Games medallist said that his playing career was cut short by a serious back injury that needed a surgery but as an administrator he would work towards the benefit of the sport. But he would do everything for the sport. He is in the executive committee of the Indian Olympic Association and was the chef de mission at the Commonwealth Games.
He has shown confidence and said that one of the reasons he has decided to contest is because of the feelers he has got from quite good section of the tennis fraternity. With government's thrust to put sportsperson as administrator, it needs to be seen how he fares.
