Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza file AITA election nominations

Indian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have filed nominations for the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections. They are seeking representation in the General Body and the Executive Committee.

Leander Paes did not file a nomination for the November 7 polls. Because Paes is not currently a SOM General Body Representative, he is ineligible to run for the AITA Presidency under the amended constitution and National Sports Governance Act. While the Bengal Tennis Association had supported his candidacy, Paes remains ineligible to contest the presidency despite being able to participate in the November 27 polls as a Bengal representative.

In total, eight candidates have filed nominations for the SOM polls. Alongside Bhupathi and Mirza, the nominees include Ankita Bhambri, Ashutosh Singh, Gaurav Natekar, Janaki Krishnamoorthy, Shalini Thakur Chawla, and Vishal Uppal.