Sports Desk: Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has slammed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for showing utter arrogance in the row between doubles players Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

 

Maken asked the AITA to explore options to send two teams to the London Olympics instead of just one. Bhupathi and Bopanna, who have been playing together for the last seven months, have rejected AITA's bid to force either of them to partner Leander.

 

Both Bhupathi and Bopanna went public to denounce the move and insisted on playing together. However, the AITA stuck to its stand and warned both players either to play with Leander or face action.

 

Maken has strong exception to AITA's decision and sought an explanation from the top Tennis body. Under pressure, the AITA may decide to send two teams to the London Olympics and Leander may have to partner with a junior partner, which he is not inclined to.