'AITA not involved in bidding process’

New Delhi: The contract for laying 14 synthetic surfaces at the DLTA complex has been awarded to a company whose Indian branch is headed by the son of the treasurer of the Games Organising Committee, Anil Khanna.

Khanna, when asked about this conflict of interest, claimed that AITA had nothing to do with the tendering process. But it’s AITA which would be making payment to the company. "Yes, the money will come to AITA, but we have to get DDA’s approval before handing it over to the company," said Khanna.

Khanna claimed that the amount relating to the tender was not a huge one. According to him, each of the 14 courts will cost around Rs 8 lakh. He also insisted that he took over the post of treasurer of OC much after the tender was awarded. ‘‘ I was made the treasurer in January only, whereas the tender was floated before that.’’

As for the surface, sources said there was damage to one of the show courts where net poles had caved in due to bad base surfacing and that there was a desperate attempt to cover and patch it up. ‘‘There were some problems in May but they have since been rectified,’’ Khanna said.

The Australian Open had dumped Rebound Ace after a 20-year-old relationship, trading the controversial rubberised surface for Plexicushion. The decision was then hailed as "a positive move" by some leading tennis personalities. It was also supported by retired doubles champion Todd Woodbridge.

Khanna dismissed criticism of Rebound Ace claiming that it was still recommended by the ITF. Aditya Khanna could not be contacted for his comments.