AITA defends Sania`s mother`s appointment as women`s team manager

AITA claims that Nasima, who was appointed at the executive committee meeting held on July 1, was the preferred choice because of her past experience in managing the Fed Cup team.

New Delhi: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Tuesday defended the selection of Nasima, Sania Mirza`s mother, as the manager of the women`s team for the 2012 London Olympics.

The AITA has been criticised for appointing Sania`s mother as the manager of the two-member women`s team that also includes Rushmi Chakravarty. AITA secretary general Bharat Oza said that Nasima, who was appointed at the executive committee meeting held on July 1, was the preferred choice because of her past experience in managing the Fed Cup team. "Nasima would be accompanying the women team in Olympics as manager. She has been travelling with the Indian women`s team for Fed Cup, Asian Games and Olympics. She has travelled to various Grand Slam venues also and has hands on experience of handling needs of women players," Oza saidin a statement. "She was manager of women`s team in the recently held Fed Cup where India won all its ties and also at the Guangzhou Asian Games where India got maximum number of medals. With her vast experience and India having two ladies member in the Olympic team she was considered as the best person to be nominated to look after the team consisting of Sania and Rushmi. Her staying in the Olympic village was considered as an additional advantage as she understands the needs of high pressure competition and how important it is to take care of players physical comfort and mental well being," Oza added. Sania will be pairing with Rushmi in the women`s doubles besides playing the singles. Sania will team up with Leander Paes in the mixed doubles. IANS