Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Tennis » PTI > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Kalmadi requests Hesh to play at Asiad
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
October 04, 2006 19:45 IST

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday urged Mahesh Bhupathi [Images] to roll back his decision to quit team tennis and play in the Doha Asian Games in December.

"I have spoken to all three concerned, Anil Khanna (secretary-general of All India Tennis Association), Mahesh and Leander (Paes). They were all co-operative and promised to resolve the issue as it is a matter of national prestige," Kalmadi said in a statement.

Bhupathi announced on Monday that he is retiring from team events since he wants to concentrate on winning the Australian Open, the one Grand Slam he is yet to win.

The Bangalore ace is named in the Asian Games squad for the men's doubles, along with Paes.

- Also read: Mahesh's decision unfortunate: Paes

"Mahesh is very vital to India's challenge at the Asian Games and, as a senior member, we want his presence in the squad to boost our medals tally at the Games," Kalmadi said.

"World class stars like Mahesh and Leander are an integral part of our contingent.

"India will be hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and tennis is going to be included at our request in the programme. So we need to present our best challenge in Doha and Beijing [Images].

"Mahesh and Leander were unlucky to miss the medal at Athens, but I am sure they are capable of striking a medal at Beijing ... my appeal to them is to play together for the sake of the country."



© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback