AITA Offers New Terms to Players

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The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has attempted to resolve its dispute with eight Indian players, canada buy led by Somdev Devvarman, by agreeing to most of their demands.

A player boycott of the Davis Cup Asia/ Oceania Group I tie against South Korea was threatened if their demands were not met.

“They had asked for change in positions of SP Misra, Nandan Bal, Dr Vece Paes (team doctor) and Sanjay Singhas (physiotherapist). Misra will stay for the Korea tie but Zeeshan Ali will be the Davis Cup coach in 2013. The Executive Committee has decided to approach the Sports Authority of India for a well-qualified doctor and physiotherapist,” an AITA statement said.

AITA said the players’ suggestions were welcome but the association would have the final say.

The AITA admitted it had received a letter from Misra expressing his desire to discontinue..

The players demanded an improved share of prize money. The AITA currently receives 50 percent of the prize money while the players are given the remaining 50 percent. The AITA said, “The AITA Executive Committee has decided that for Asia/ Oceania Group II, it will be 50:50. For Group I, 60 percent to players and 40 to AITA. And if they win an Asia/Oceania Zonal tie (Group I), it will be 70 percent for the players.”

For World Group ties, it will be 70 percent to the players and 30 to the AITA. For away ties, it will be the old arrangement of 100 percent to the players”.

The players had also asked for a say in choosing venues, the AITA said they would consider weather conditions before arranging fixtures and suggestions on the surface and conditions would be taken from the captain.

The players have not yet responded. The team for the Korea tie is scheduled to be picked on January 11.{jcomments on}