AITA confirms players' boycott threat

A day after vehemently denying that India's top players have threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth Games because of non-payment of dues, the All India Tennis Association was left red faced when it came to light that the warning was from four elite players.

The men's team for the Games -- Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna -- wrote to the All India Tennis Association that if they are not paid their dues by next month "none of them will be available for the Games in October".

Except for a minimal payment to Bhupathi, no player has received any money towards their Games' preparations.

AITA secretary-general Anil Khanna, who had on Thursday denied any development of a possible boycott, on Friday admitted to it, saying talks with the Sports Ministry are on and the matter will be resolved within a week.

"The government is sensitive towards the players and I am hoping that within a week a solution will be reached," Khanna said.

Khanna had a meeting with the sports ministry officials but did not divulge the details. However, he said progress was made on the issue and all the players will be available for the Games.

According to the letter, Khanna wrote to the players that the AITA has asked the sports ministry to release US $17,250 each to all four men's players and Sania Mirza for their preparations.

The sum is for two years and the payment is in accordance with the players' entitlement of US $115 per day for 75 days in a year for CWG preparations as per the government's rules.

The AITA is pressing that the allowance for tennis players should be for a minimum of 180 days and a maximum of 280 days a year.

The government though has turned down the proposal, reportedly saying that they cannot change rules for tennis players.

The government wanted the players to produce their hotel bills, air-tickets and other expenses in original which is quite tough as they travel extensively and are not keen to go through cumbersome government procedures.

"We suggested to the Govt that since we have proof of players playing in international tennis, we should not ask for bills as that is a very difficult exercise and since players are carrying their support staff, they are in any case spending a large amount of money out of their pockets," Khanna said in his explanation to the players.

Apart from the CWG dues, the players also complained in their letter about delay in clearance of dues for the Asian Games and Olympics and also want support staff for CWG like Davis Cup.

Khanna said the AITA has no role in clearing those dues, as the money for those tournaments has to be cleared by the Indian Olympic Association and they can just talk on behalf of the players with the relevant authorities.

The players made it clear in their letter that no dues are pending from the AITA as far as Davis Cup ties are concerned.