The AITA is considering motion in opposition to Sasikumar Mukund for not sporting the official jersey throughout the Davis Cup tie in opposition to Morocco and has additionally launched a gamers’ code of conduct to make sure ‘discipline’ in future.
In the opening singles of the World Group II play-off tie in opposition to Yassine Dlimi on September 16, Mukund wore the jersey supplied by his private sponsor and never the one made accessible by official Indian crew sponsor ‘OOK’ after taking “permission” from skipper Rohit Rajpal.
To make matter worse, the jersey that Mukund wore had ‘INDIA’ spelt wrongly and the matter was dropped at AITA’s discover by the crew sponsor.
The crew identify printed on the again had an additional ‘I’.
It could also be talked about that the official sponsor solely supplied the package and no sponsorship cash was given to both All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) or the gamers who had been half of the tie that India received 4-1 in Lucknow final month.
AITA issued a showcause discover to Mukund on September 28, asking him to elucidate inside seven days why motion shouldn’t be taken in opposition to him for not sporting the official jersey and enjoying with a jersey that had India written wrongly.
On October 3, Mukund despatched his reply to the nationwide federation, saying that “shorts received from OOK were not comfortable”.
Mukund additionally wrote that he had taken prior permission from each captain Rajpal and and coach Zesshan Ali to put on the jersey that had his sponsor’s identify printed.
Explaining the spelling fiasco, Mukund wrote that he had acquired eight T-shirts from his sponsor and sadly he picked the one one which had printing mistake.
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He additionally lamented that neither the captain nor his teammates observed when he stepped on to the court docket.
“I have immense respect for my country and I would never do something intentionally to tarnish its image,” he wrote and likewise apologised for the inadvertent mistake.
On October 13, the AITA communicated to Mukund that his rationalization was not acceptable for the reason that captain has denied giving him any permission and additional requested him to make clear his stand.
When contacted by PTI, Mukund stated captain Rajpal had certainly allowed him.
“There was no money involved. The players were not given any sponsorship fee for this tie. Only the kit was provided by the official sponsor. Captain Rajpal had understood this and allowed me,” Mukund, who had misplaced his match to Dlimi, stated.
“Usually the players are asked to sign a contract with the AITA for that one week if they are being paid for wearing that official kit. In this case, we did not sign any contract. My personal sponsor ‘Indian Tree’ pays me, so what’s wrong in it. The pockets of the shorts were such that the ball were coming out.
“These are the reasons that the players lose interest in playing for the national team,” he stated.
AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar stated they’ve launched a gamers’ code of conduct for readability and all gamers can be sure by it.
“The players code of conduct is before the Executive Committee members. It will come into effect immediately. It is for all players, be it men’s, women’s, boys or girls,” he stated.
Asked if they’ll certainly take motion in opposition to Mukund, Dhupar stated,”Mukund has apologised however we’re nonetheless discussing the matter”.
Asked for his viewpoint, Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali stated,”All gamers needs to be sporting solely the official package. During the Asian Games all of the gamers and help workers wore the official package solely. Procedure needs to be adopted by all”.
It is just not the primary time that an Indian participant has most well-liked enjoying with the package that has his private sponsor’s identify written. They do receives a commission for sporting the sponsor’s identify. If the match is telecast dwell, the quantity will increase.
“The AITA had also introduced the system of paying the players for official sponsor’s name. The initiative was taken by captain Rohit Rajpal. If you have to stop players from wearing the name of their personal sponsor during the Davis Cup, then you have to compensate,” stated a crew supply.
“In this case (Morocco tie), no sponsor was willing to pay any sponsorship money to the players and the AITA. Just the kits had arrived through OOK, it is difficult to even arrange for kits for Indian Davis Cup team,” the supply stated, summing up the state of Indian tennis.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
