[AlistDakisa]

Security issues heart of the matter.


Aussies express concern over scheduling of Davis Cup tie in India

From correspondents in New Delhi, India
March 26, 2009

Indian tennis authorities have dismissed Australian requests to have their Davis Cup tie moved as sports teams show increasing wariness about travelling to the country.

Australia's spokesman Nick Imison told the Times of India that he had asked for the tie to be re-arranged after the high-profile Indian Premier League cricket series was shifted to South Africa.

The IPL was moved this week after the Indian government declined to release adequate police and paramilitary forces for the tournament as the dates clashed with month-long general elections.

Ranbir Chauhan, an All India Tennis Association (AITA) official, said that Australia's fears over the May 8-10 fixture in Chennai were completely unfounded.

“There is no problem,'' he said.

“We hosted a very successful Chennai Open in January. We will be using the same stadium, the same hotel and the same security agency for the Davis Cup tie.

“We also have government support. That's why we chose Chennai over other venues. It is absolutely safe.''

The AITA had replied to a security questionnaire sent by the International Tennis Federation last week and a final decision would be made soon, Chauhan added.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23216,00.html

[Xutrsavf]

This sounds pretty confusing. They move the IPL tournament due to it coinciding with the election, but will not move tennis (which from what I just looked up also falls during the elections, April 16, April 22, April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 13, 2009) with the argument that the tournament in January (nowhere near the problem dates) was alright?

I could maybe understand a different argument about tennis not having as rabid an Indian audience or something, but the stated rationale makes no sense.

Granted, I'm probably missing something here. Does anyone who actually knows what they are talking about here have some insight?

[Sniliabiz]

This sounds pretty confusing. They move the IPL tournament due to it coinciding with the election, but will not move tennis (which from what I just looked up also falls during the elections, April 16, April 22, April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 13, 2009) with the argument that the tournament in January (nowhere near the problem dates) was alright?

Great point, James.

It seems though that the elections occur three days after the DC matches finish (http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/bre...0326-9c8t.html). And the organizers are saying that they have already ensured the necessary security arrangements.

It bothers me though that now the AITA chief is saying: “We also have government support. That's why we chose Chennai over other venues. It is absolutely safe.'' This is actually not true that Chennai was chosen for security reasons. India traditionally plays home DC matches on grass, and the grass courts are in Delhi. It is only because Devvarman is now the de facto leader of the DC team and because he has said that he grew up on hard and is really uncomfortable on grass, that the matches are being played on the hard courts of Chennai (Devvarman's hometown). See for example this article: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/s...lia,%20Chennai.

Anyways, I think that there should not really be a security problem with the DC tie. But Australia is definitely right to push the issue to the forefront and make absolutely sure that all necessary arrangements are made.

[inmeirulez]

I don't think anyone under any circumstances should attack someone who's had to watch a Devvarman match. They've been through punishment enough.

[Flikemommoilt]

Why does Australia almost always seem to be in the middle of these types of things? Wasn't it just last year that they got their panties in a bundle about playing in Argentina? And now they're worried about India.

One COULD argue that they have good reasons to be concerned. I just think it's odd that they almost always seem to be in the middle of it. Maybe it's just unlucky draws, but still...