Sania named playing captain of India's Fed Cup team

India’s tennis ace Sania Mirza, on Saturday, was appointed as playing captain of India's Fed Cup team, which will seek to make it to Group I grade of Asia/Oceania zone in Hyderabad from April 14.

Sania will lead a four-member team which also includes India's top singles player Ankita Raina, along with Prarthana Thombare and Natasha Palha.

The three reserve players in the team are Rishika Sunkara, Nidhi Chilumula and national junior champion Karman Kaur Thandi.

"Sania is also considering playing singles to ensure that India advances to Group I of the Asia/Oceania zone," an AITA release said.

The team will assemble in Hyderabad ten days before the tie and will participate in a training camp at Sania Mirza Tennis Academy.

AITA to approach court, says Khanna's election not illegal

The AITA today made it clear that it will knock the doors of the judiciary against the Sports Ministry's directive, asking its President Anil Khanna to step down despite the fact his election was held as per Age and Tenure guidelines of the Sports Code.

In a recent communication, the sports ministry asked the AITA President Anil Khanna to step down since he required to serve a four-year cooling off period before being elected to the top job.

Khanna served as AITA Secretary General between 2000 and 2012 and was elected President of the sports body for a further four-year period. As per the Sports Code, there has to be a gap of four years for an official after serving two consecutive terms of four years each.

AITA contended that the sports ministry in a recent court case had given an affidavit under oath that AITA election were as per Age and Tenure guidelines of the Sports Code.

AITA quoted the Ministry affidavit to make its case which stated: "The provisions of the Sports Code as stated by the petitioner is a matter of record. However it is stated that provisions of the Sports Code do nor specifically debar a person who has held two (or more) terms as General Secretary to contest for the post of the President."

AITA accused the ministry of singling it out for the treatment.

"AITA has been requesting for a meeting with MYAS since October 2014 to resolve this matter. It is a very sad situation that MYAS has chosen not to call AITA for a meeting in the last five months. AITA still hopes that MYAS will call a meeting," AITA Secretary General Bharat Oza said in a release.

"AITA will also take up this matter before the Hon'ble Court as to why AITA is being singled out as this illegal interpretation being done by MYAS will affect many more NSFs and also the 2014 IOA election itself," Oza said.

AITA, however, requested the Sports Ministry to continue its recognition till its next Annual General Meeting on September 30 so that the players who receive training funds do not suffer. AITA is hoping that by that time, the court will deliver a verdict.

Image: Sania Mirza in action

Photograph: Getty Images