Bhupathi, Sania set to be SOM in AITA executive committee

BENGALURU: Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza are set to be the two Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) in the 15-member All India Tennis Association Executive Committee that will be formed later this year after fresh elections. The two were chosen from a roster of 40 players on Thursday, and they are also among four SOMs elected to the AITA General Body (GB).

Current Davis Cup coach Ashutosh Singh and former Billie Jean King Cup captain Shalini Thakur Chawla are the other two former players in the GB. The AITA Constitution, which was amended in line with the National Sports Governance Act back in July, provides for four SOM representatives in the GB (two male and two female) and two in the AITA EC (one male and one female).

With Bhupathi and Sania set to take their places in the EC, they will not be able to contest the polls for other office-bearer posts such as president, general secretary and treasurer. However, it remains to be seen in which direction proceedings in the Delhi High Court with respect to amending the AITA Constitution go.