Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi Elected to AITA Executive Committee
Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi Join AITA Executive Committee
Sania Mirza, the renowned Indian tennis player, expressed her delight upon being elected to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) General Body. She stated that her main goal, along with fellow tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi, is to leverage their extensive experience to enhance Indian tennis. Both Mirza and Bhupathi have been appointed to the AITA Executive Committee after being elected as representatives of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) to the General Body, marking their entry into the administrative framework of the national tennis federation.
Election Results and Administrative Roles
In the Executive Committee elections, Bhupathi received 23 votes, the highest among all candidates, while Mirza garnered 18 votes. Janaki Krishnamoorthy followed with 13 votes, and Vishal Uppal received seven. Previously, Bhupathi and Mirza were elected to the General Body as SOM representatives, securing 19 and 18 votes, respectively. Other elected representatives included Ashutosh Singh with 17 votes and Shalini Thakur Chawla with 16 votes.
With their new roles in the Executive Committee, both former players will not seek office-bearer positions in the upcoming AITA elections set for November 27.
Vision for Indian Tennis Development
Discussing the necessary steps for the development of the next generation of Indian tennis players, Sania emphasized the need for a robust support system. This includes coaching, guidance, tournament exposure, and fitness assistance.
"There are numerous factors to consider, such as development programs, appropriate coaching, guidance on tournament participation, and support from physiotherapists and trainers. Many elements contribute to the making of a successful tennis player," she remarked.
"Ultimately, luck also plays a role. Therefore, we aim to combine our experiences and knowledge as professional athletes to assist the next generation in taking significant strides forward," Sania added.
Background of the Tennis Legends
Both Bhupathi and Sania bring a wealth of international experience to their administrative roles. Bhupathi, a former world number one in doubles, has an impressive record of 12 Grand Slam titles, including four in men's doubles and eight in mixed doubles. He also had a successful partnership with Leander Paes. Sania achieved the world number one ranking in women's doubles in 2015 and won six Grand Slam titles, three each in women's doubles and mixed doubles, before retiring from professional tennis in February 2023.
Their election coincides with ongoing governance reforms in Indian sports federations under the National Sports Governance Act and the National Sports Bodies Rules, 2026, which encourage increased representation of former athletes in sports administration.