According to the new order of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the tennis players of the country who have got financial assistance through many schemes should be given primary to play in the national team. If they refuse to play without any valid clarification, then they will be charged. Making the players accountable for the funds received, Sai, in his order, has asked to give in writing to the players selected for help under the Target Asian Games Group, in which they should accept that getting financial help is the responsibility of contributing to the country’s sports excellence.
Quoting a source, the news agency PTI wrote that, the matter came into the limelight when the players’ names were discussed to include in TAGG. Sai, in its order, has asked the players who have helped under the tops, NSF and TAGG schemes to confirm their availability and desire to represent India in the prestigious international tournaments like Billy Jean King Cup, Davis Cup, Asian Sports and Olympics.
According to Sai’s order, these tennis competitions are important for national pride, so it is important that all the players who get financial help are selected by the All India Tennis Federation, then they give priority to represent India. It states that, we would also like to inform you that if you decide to participate in these tournaments without any valid clarification by the NSS, then the financial assistance given till date will be subject to recovery as per the implemented guidelines.
TAGG was launched in April this year with the aim of increasing India’s medal table at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on the lines of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. There are many examples in the past when the players refused to play the Davis Cup. Top single player Sumit Nagal decided not to travel to Pakistan, while he did not participate in matches against Sweden and Togo.