MSLTA to host two major events

Ismail, who made a shock first-round exit from the Maharashtra State Hard Court tournament, said that the ITPA’s suggestion to club the two tournaments was taken well by the AITA officials at the April 12 meeting between the representatives of the two bodies at Chennai.

“I did say that I would try to club the two tournaments but I did not promise to do it. I cannot talk on behalf of the MSLTA. It could not be done because they had already printed the entry forms with Rs 1.25 lakhs as prize money on offer,” Desai clarified the AITA stand.

“Next year the MSLTA is to conduct three tournaments with two of them offering Rs 2.5 lakhs in prize money and the third carrying Rs 1.25 lakhs,” he added.

About Ismail’s criticism that the players cannot plan their programme without knowing the venues of the forthcoming tournaments on the domestic circuit, Desai said he would look into it.

“We are yet to receive these details from the respective state associations hosting these events. I would look into the issue,” Desai said.

The ITPA was at loggerheads with the AITA recently by announcing a boycott of all tournaments not carrying at least Rs 2.5 lakhs in prize money. The matter was amicably settled in Chennai with AITA promising to have ten tournaments with Rs 2.5 lakhs in prize money this season and eleven from next year .