All India Tennis Association

All India Tennis Association, abbreviated as AITA, is the governing body of tennis in India. It has invested in the development of domestic tennis in India. It has produced talents like Sania Mirza, Karan Rastogi, and Rohan Bopanna.

History

Tennis was introduced in India in the 1880s by British Army and Civilian Officers. Soon after, regular tournaments like 'Punjab Lawn tennis Championship' at Lahore (Now in Pakistan) (1885); 'Bengal Lawn Tennis Championship' at Calcutta (1887) and the All India Tennis Championships at Allahabad in (1910) were organized. Initially the Britishers like TD Berrington and LC Ogbourne won these championships, however Slowly Indians started picking up the game. Mohd. Saleem of Lahore won the Punjab Championship in 1915 and thereafter consecutively from 1919 to 1926. In 1917 NS Iyer lifted the Bengal Championship. In 1919 Mr. Nagu picked up the prestigious singles crown at the All India Tennis Championship at City's Gymkhana Club at Allahabad. Henceforth the Indians started playing the game with greater distinction.

In March 1920, All India Lawn Tennis Association (AILTA) was formed at Lahore. At this meeting the constitution and by laws were framed on the lines of the constitution of Lawn Tennis Association of Britain. In November 1920, the first AGM of AILTA was held at the Town Hall at Delhi. Samuel Perry O'Donnell, a British member of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) was elected as the first president. In this meeting, it was decided to hold the annual 'All India National Championships' at Allahabad and to participate in Davis Cup competition. In its debut, Indian team consisting of SM Jacob, Mohd Saleem, LS Deane and AA Fayzee upset a stronger French team to reach the semi finals. With AITA at the helm of affairs, different Provinces formed Provincial Associations (now known as State Associations and were affiliated to parent organization. An Inter Provincial Tournament was organized with effect from 1922. Punjab LTA led by Mohd. Saleem became the first champions. This yearly competition continued till the eve of Second World War (1939).

Around early 1980s the name of the Association was changed to 'All India Tennis Association' (AITA). From the beginning of 1990's tennis in India has started getting a new look. The financial position of the Association has improved considerably. The Association constructed a full-fledged modern National Stadium at Delhi with a seating capacity of 5000 spectators in 1996. [ [http://www.aitatennis.com/New%20AITA/about.html AITA History] . All India Tennis Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.]

Headquarters

The AITA organization has its headquarters in Delhi RK Khanna Stadium. Until 1996, the organization was functioning from temporary places like Delhi, Madras and Calcutta.

Rules followed

The general rules of tennis sanctioned by the ITF are followed. For further inquiries, www.aitatennis.com/New%20Aita/rules.html [ [http://www.aitatennis.com/New%20Aita/rules.html Rules of Tennis] . All India Tennis Association] . Retrieved on 2008-06-07.] can be followed.

Format of tournaments

AITA will conduct the following types of tournaments during the year 2008:

¨ Talent Series

¨ Championship Series

¨ Super Series

¨ National Series

¨ Two Nationals - Hard Court and Clay

Tournaments for only 1 age group (either U 14 / 16 / 18) will be held during the week, at the same venue. A minimum of four courts, having the same surface, is a must for conducting a tournament. However, a Talent series tournament may be done on three courts without having a Doubles event.Tournaments for two age groups (Under 14 / 16 / 18) may be held at the same venue if the venue has the following minimum requirements.

· Minimum number of 6 courts / 4 floodlit courts· Enough number of Tournament Staff

As far as possible only one National / Super Series, for any one age group, will be organized during a week. However, there are no restrictions on the number of Championship / Talent Series tournaments being held during a week. Under 12 tournament may be combined with an under 14 tournament. No player can play two tournaments at different venues during the same tournament week. i.e. "If you play the qualifying of one tournament you cannot play the Main Draw / Qualifying of another tournament. However, if you play the Main Draw of one tournament you can play the Qualifying of the next week’s tournament."

Doubles will be held in all National / Super / Championship Series TOURNAMENTS. Tournament Organizers may conduct Doubles for Talent Series. Points for which will be counted towards the Rankings.

Doubles for Under 14: All matches shall be two (2) tie-break sets with a deciding Match Tie-Break (10 point) at one (1) set all

References

* [http://www.iloveindia.com/sports/tennis/aita.html All India Tennis Association] . iloveindia.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
* [http://www.tn-tennis.com/aboutus.asp About us] . Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.

External links

* [http://www.aitatennis.com All India Tennis Association website]