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AITA Constitution EGM: Age ceiling, athlete representation and tenure in focus  With the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to ratify the new Constitution scheduled for Sunday in New Delhi, three contentious clauses are likely to take centrestage.These concern the composition of the Executive Committee (EC), the upper age-limit for office-bearers and how their tenures will be calculated. In a 15-member EC, the National Sports Governance Act mandates at least two Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) and two Athletes Committee (AC) representatives. But the Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal-led panel has proposed five SOM and two from the AC to make it more athlete friendly.As against the requirement of at least four of the 15 to be women (minimum of one each from SOM and AC), Justice Mittal’s team has sought the inclusion of at least five women (one-third) so that floor-level representation is maintained even when there is a vacancy.The Sports Act mandates an age ceiling of 70 years for EC members but in the same breath says that those between 70 and 75 “may contest” and serve a full term “if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws”. The AITA believes that since the 2026 Constitution of the International Tennis Federation only prescribes a lower limit (21 years) and is silent on an upper threshold, the ceiling can be raised to 75 years.But the administrator’s team has argued that “may” limits the scope and the word “bye-laws” “envisages that the Bye-Laws of the National Sports body may restrict the age to 70 or below”. It also said that 70 was the unanimous choice of players past and present.With regards to tenure, the Sports Act says a person is eligible if he or she is “not more than 70 on the last date of nomination for election”. Can someone turning 70 immediately after the nomination get elected for a full four-year term?ALSO READ: Ahead of EGM, AITA Trust returns to spotlight amid accountability questionsIt is to be noted that veteran administrator Anil Khanna is 73 and interim president Chintan Parikh will turn 70 in the near future. The administrator has also proposed that no EC member can hold office simultaneously in State associations, and governing bodies of other National federations except the Indian Olympic Association.Further, the Delhi High Court, in its interim order dated June 18, had stated that all actions at the EGM — including the scenario where the AITA does not adopt the proposals — would be subject to the final outcome of the main petition filed by players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja.The administrator-appointed observers for the EGM will be Rakesh Munjal (senior advocate and president of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law), Raj Liberhan (bureaucrat and former secretary, International Lawn Tennis Club of India), Lorren Bamniyal (former registrar, Delhi High Court) and Illa Rawat (former district and sessions judge, Delhi).Also, the AITA, through ITF, had sought an observer from the Asian Tennis Federation, but it is reliably learnt that the concerned person pulled out on Friday. Justice Mittal had earlier expressed her displeasure at the AITA trying to appoint Justice Ashish J. Desai (Retd.) as an observer.Published on Jul 26, 2026  #AITA #Constitution #EGM #Age #ceiling #athlete #representation #tenure #focus

AITA Constitution EGM: Age ceiling, athlete representation and tenure in focus

With the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to ratify the new Constitution scheduled for Sunday in New Delhi, three contentious clauses are likely to take centrestage.

These concern the composition of the Executive Committee (EC), the upper age-limit for office-bearers and how their tenures will be calculated. In a 15-member EC, the National Sports Governance Act mandates at least two Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) and two Athletes Committee (AC) representatives. But the Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal-led panel has proposed five SOM and two from the AC to make it more athlete friendly.

As against the requirement of at least four of the 15 to be women (minimum of one each from SOM and AC), Justice Mittal’s team has sought the inclusion of at least five women (one-third) so that floor-level representation is maintained even when there is a vacancy.

The Sports Act mandates an age ceiling of 70 years for EC members but in the same breath says that those between 70 and 75 “may contest” and serve a full term “if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws”. The AITA believes that since the 2026 Constitution of the International Tennis Federation only prescribes a lower limit (21 years) and is silent on an upper threshold, the ceiling can be raised to 75 years.

But the administrator’s team has argued that “may” limits the scope and the word “bye-laws” “envisages that the Bye-Laws of the National Sports body may restrict the age to 70 or below”. It also said that 70 was the unanimous choice of players past and present.

With regards to tenure, the Sports Act says a person is eligible if he or she is “not more than 70 on the last date of nomination for election”. Can someone turning 70 immediately after the nomination get elected for a full four-year term?

ALSO READ: Ahead of EGM, AITA Trust returns to spotlight amid accountability questions

It is to be noted that veteran administrator Anil Khanna is 73 and interim president Chintan Parikh will turn 70 in the near future. The administrator has also proposed that no EC member can hold office simultaneously in State associations, and governing bodies of other National federations except the Indian Olympic Association.

Further, the Delhi High Court, in its interim order dated June 18, had stated that all actions at the EGM — including the scenario where the AITA does not adopt the proposals — would be subject to the final outcome of the main petition filed by players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja.

The administrator-appointed observers for the EGM will be Rakesh Munjal (senior advocate and president of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law), Raj Liberhan (bureaucrat and former secretary, International Lawn Tennis Club of India), Lorren Bamniyal (former registrar, Delhi High Court) and Illa Rawat (former district and sessions judge, Delhi).

Also, the AITA, through ITF, had sought an observer from the Asian Tennis Federation, but it is reliably learnt that the concerned person pulled out on Friday. Justice Mittal had earlier expressed her displeasure at the AITA trying to appoint Justice Ashish J. Desai (Retd.) as an observer.

Published on Jul 26, 2026

#AITA #Constitution #EGM #Age #ceiling #athlete #representation #tenure #focus

With the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to ratify the new Constitution scheduled for Sunday in New Delhi, three contentious clauses are likely to take centrestage.

These concern the composition of the Executive Committee (EC), the upper age-limit for office-bearers and how their tenures will be calculated. In a 15-member EC, the National Sports Governance Act mandates at least two Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) and two Athletes Committee (AC) representatives. But the Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal-led panel has proposed five SOM and two from the AC to make it more athlete friendly.

As against the requirement of at least four of the 15 to be women (minimum of one each from SOM and AC), Justice Mittal’s team has sought the inclusion of at least five women (one-third) so that floor-level representation is maintained even when there is a vacancy.

The Sports Act mandates an age ceiling of 70 years for EC members but in the same breath says that those between 70 and 75 “may contest” and serve a full term “if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws”. The AITA believes that since the 2026 Constitution of the International Tennis Federation only prescribes a lower limit (21 years) and is silent on an upper threshold, the ceiling can be raised to 75 years.

But the administrator’s team has argued that “may” limits the scope and the word “bye-laws” “envisages that the Bye-Laws of the National Sports body may restrict the age to 70 or below”. It also said that 70 was the unanimous choice of players past and present.

With regards to tenure, the Sports Act says a person is eligible if he or she is “not more than 70 on the last date of nomination for election”. Can someone turning 70 immediately after the nomination get elected for a full four-year term?

ALSO READ: Ahead of EGM, AITA Trust returns to spotlight amid accountability questions

It is to be noted that veteran administrator Anil Khanna is 73 and interim president Chintan Parikh will turn 70 in the near future. The administrator has also proposed that no EC member can hold office simultaneously in State associations, and governing bodies of other National federations except the Indian Olympic Association.

Further, the Delhi High Court, in its interim order dated June 18, had stated that all actions at the EGM — including the scenario where the AITA does not adopt the proposals — would be subject to the final outcome of the main petition filed by players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja.

The administrator-appointed observers for the EGM will be Rakesh Munjal (senior advocate and president of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law), Raj Liberhan (bureaucrat and former secretary, International Lawn Tennis Club of India), Lorren Bamniyal (former registrar, Delhi High Court) and Illa Rawat (former district and sessions judge, Delhi).

Also, the AITA, through ITF, had sought an observer from the Asian Tennis Federation, but it is reliably learnt that the concerned person pulled out on Friday. Justice Mittal had earlier expressed her displeasure at the AITA trying to appoint Justice Ashish J. Desai (Retd.) as an observer.

Published on Jul 26, 2026

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#AITA #Constitution #EGM #Age #ceiling #athlete #representation #tenure #focus

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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