All India Tennis Association
Encyclopedia
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) , is the governing body of tennis
in India. It was established in 1920 and affiliated by International Tennis Federation
and Asian Tennis Federation
.
All India Tennis Association operates all of the Indian national representative tennis sides, including the India Davis Cup team
, the India Fed Cup team
and youth sides as well. AITA is also responsible for organizing and hosting tennis tournaments within India and scheduling the home international fixtures.
(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 British 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, the All India Lawn Tennis Association 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 the Second World War (1939).
Around early 1980s the name of the Association was changed to the 'All India Tennis Association'. From the beginning of the 1990s 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.
. Until 1996, the organization was functioning from temporary places like Delhi
, Madras and Calcutta.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
in India. It was established in 1920 and affiliated by International Tennis Federation
International Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
and Asian Tennis Federation
Asian Tennis Federation
The Asian Tennis Federation is a non-profit organization affiliated with the International Tennis Federation. It is a continental body of national tennis associations of Asian countries. The ATF's main objectives are to raise the standard of Asian tennis and to popularize tennis sport among the...
.
All India Tennis Association operates all of the Indian national representative tennis sides, including the India Davis Cup team
India Davis Cup team
The India Davis Cup team represents India in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the All India Tennis Association.India finished as runners-up 3 times . In 1974, the final was scratched and South Africa were awarded the Davis Cup after India refused to particapate in the final due to...
, the India Fed Cup team
India Fed Cup team
The India Fed Cup team represents India in the WTA & ITF Fed Cup professional tennis competition and are governed by the All India Tennis Association. They currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group I, although in 2012 it will play in Group II....
and youth sides as well. AITA is also responsible for organizing and hosting tennis tournaments within India and scheduling the home international fixtures.
History
Tennis was introduced in India in the 1880s by British Army and Civilian Officers. Soon after, regular tournaments like the 'Punjab Lawn tennis Championship' at LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
(Now in Pakistan) (1885); 'Bengal Lawn Tennis Championship' at Calcutta (1887) and the All India Tennis Championships at Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
in (1910) were organized. Initially the British 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, the All India Lawn Tennis Association 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 the Second World War (1939).
Around early 1980s the name of the Association was changed to the 'All India Tennis Association'. From the beginning of the 1990s 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.
Headquarters
The AITA organization has its headquarters in Delhi's R.K. Khanna Tennis ComplexR.K. Khanna Tennis Complex
R. K. Khanna Tennis Complex is a tennis stadium located in New Delhi, India. It has a centre court, 6 match courts and 6 warm-up courts. It has a capacity of 5015. It is a venue for 2010 Commonwealth Games. It was also the venue for the tennis events at the 1982 Asian Games...
. Until 1996, the organization was functioning from temporary places like Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Madras and Calcutta.
Format of tournaments
AITA conducts the following types of tournaments:- Talent Series
- Championship Series
- Super Series
- National Series
- Two Nationals - Hard Court and Clay