AITA-ministry meeting rescheduled for May 27

New Delhi: The meeting between the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the Sports Ministry to resolve the Sports Code issue has been rescheduled to May 27, following a request from the sports body.

The AITA had to present its side at the "hearing", which was supposed to be held today, on the contentious Sports Code.

The Sports Ministry wants AITA President Anil Khanna to step down from his post, citing violation of the age and tenure guidelines. However, AITA feels that have not flouted any of the rules.

"We had requested them to change the meeting of the date since out legal advisor was not available for the meeting today. They have agreed for a fresh date," AITA Secretary General Bharat Oza told PTI.

Apart from Oza and AITA legal advisor, AITA CEO and two Executive Committee members will also be present at the meeting.

The Ministry had asked Khanna to step down since he required to serve a four-year cooling off period before being elected to the top job.

Khanna served as AITA Secretary General between 2000 and 2012 and was elected President of the sports body for a further four-year period. As per the Sports Code, there has to be a gap of four years for an official after serving two consecutive terms of four years each.

AITA has contended that the sports ministry in a recent court case had given an affidavit under oath that AITA election were as per Age and Tenure guidelines of the Sports Code.

The AITA quoted the ministry affidavit to make its case which stated: "The provisions of the Sports Code as stated by the petitioner is a matter of record. However it is stated that provisions of the Sports Code do not specifically debar a person who has held two (or more) terms as General Secretary to contest for the post of the President."