Kalmadi backs Maken, says two tennis teams should be sent

Pune: President Suresh Kalmadi today came out in support of Sports Minister Ajay Maken over sending two men’s doubles tennis teams in the upcoming London Olympics. Both the teams should be sent for the Games in the “national interest”, he said. Maken today stepped in to resolve the crisis in Indian tennis, and suggested that the country should send two men’s doubles teams in the Olympics. [caption id=“attachment_348351” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The city MP, currently out on bail in the CWG scam case, issued a statement supporting Maken’s views. AFP”]  [/caption] The city MP, currently out on bail in the CWG scam case, issued a statement supporting the view of Maken in the matter. “As two teams have qualified in tennis for the London Olympics, I think in the national interest both teams should be sent. I support Sports Minister’s stand as it involves prestige of the country and I hope that All India Tennis Association (AITA) would change its stand with a view to get more medals,” he said. The estranged duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have been declared AITA’s picks for the Olympics even though the latter has made it clear that he was not willing to team up with his former partner. PTI