NEW DELHI: Indian tennis officials on Friday dismissed Australia’s security concerns over playing a Davis Cup match in the southern city of Chennai.
Anil Khanna, secretary general of the All India Tennis Association, said the Australian players should not worry about their safety when they visit Chennai for the Asia-Oceania Group 1 match, scheduled for May 8-10.
The winner will advance to the playoffs for a spot in Davis Cup’s elite World Group.
“Australia’s security concerns are unfounded. We’re expecting the International Tennis Federation to reject Tennis Australia’s claims,” said Khanna, who is also the president of the Asian Tennis Federation.
“We’re positive about this match staying in Chennai,” he said. “It’ll then be up to the Australian team if they want to travel for the match or not.”
Tennis Australia’s chief executive Steve Wood said Thursday his country had sent a request to ITF for a change of venue, after receiving advice “from a variety of sources.”
The London-based ITF said it had asked its security advisers to submit a report by next week, but would not discuss alternative venues until then.
Khanna said on Friday that the Indian organizers had responded to the query from ITF, and also informed the world body about the security measures being adopted.
“Security arrangements in Chennai have been planned and all security clearances received” from local police and the federal Home Ministry, Khanna said.
Earlier this week, the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament was moved to South Africa after the Home Ministry said it could not guarantee adequate safety measures because the dates clashed with the country’s general elections.
“We’ve got an OK from the state and union government for the Davis Cup match,” Khanna said.
Concerns about security at sports events on the Indian sub continent were heightened by the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan earlier this month. Seven test players, an assistant coach and a match official were among those injured. Six policemen and a driver were killed in the ambush by gunmen.
In November, terror attacks in India’s financial capital Mumbai left 164 people dead and forced the cancellation of a Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament involving provincial teams from five countries.
“Chennai successfully hosted the ATP Tour’s annual Chennai Open in January, and not one player pulled out due to security concerns,” Khanna said. “We’re a wonderful country as hosts, we’ll provide foolproof security and we want the Australian tennis players to come and play in India.”
