Reacting angrily to media reports that he has been asked to step down by the Sports Ministry, All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Anil Khanna on Friday said he has got no such intimation and insisted that his election to the post was well within the government norms on age and tenure.
In a statement, Khanna said AITA was among the first national federations to follow the government guidelines of ensuring the age and tenure cap for its functionaries.
“It is evident from the guidelines that a cooling off period is required for the re-election to the post of Secretary General or Treasurer if either of that position has been held for eight years. For the post of president, however, no cooling off period is required and the president can hold office for three terms of four years till the age of 70 years,” Khanna stated.
“I, as President of AITA, would like to reaffirm the commitment of AITA to the government guidelines and would state that my election as President is in accordance with tenure guidelines and this has been followed by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recognition of AITA for 2013 and 2014,” he added.
Khanna said he expects the Ministry to first communicate with AITA before making such issues public.
“I expected MYAS to have at least extended me a normal courtesy of discussing this issue rather than releasing a letter to media which has not been received by AITA on a matter which is still subjudice,” he said.
