In an unprecedented move, eight state tennis associations affiliated with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) have proposed a no-confidence motion against President Anil Jain. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) has been called for September 28 in New Delhi to address the motion.
The move comes amidst allegations that Jain has misused AITA funds by traveling with his family abroad on multiple occasions. The state units that have proposed the motion include Assam, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura.
If the no-confidence motion is passed, Jain will be removed as AITA President. This would mark the first time in Indian tennis history that the head of the federation has been removed in this manner.
Jain, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, has denied the allegations and claims that the state units are targeting him because he advised them to follow the Sports Code during the upcoming elections. He has also stated that the EGM is illegal and that he will take legal action.
However, officials from the state associations have stated that there are additional allegations against Jain and that the issue goes beyond the Sports Code. They have accused him of using his position for personal gains, including becoming a permanent trustee of the AITA Trust in his individual capacity.
The state associations have expressed their determination to clean up the system and support the players. They believe that the upcoming elections will bring about a positive change in Indian tennis.
