Bhupathi, Mirza among four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit elected to AITA governing body

In New Delhi on November 05, 2026, former Indian tennis players Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza were among four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit elected to the All India Tennis Association's governing body. Bhupathi received 19 votes and Mirza 18.

As per the amended AITA constitution, four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) — two men and two women — are elected to the general body. The SOM representation is part of the broader sports governance reforms aimed at giving accomplished sportspersons a greater role in the administration of national sports federations. The SOM roster was drawn up under the National Sports Governance Act.

Bhupathi topped the poll with 19 votes; Mirza followed on 18. Ashutosh Singh polled 17 and Shalini Thakur Chawla received 16 to complete the four elected candidates.

Other contenders and their tallies were Janaki Krishnamoorthy with 15 votes, Vishal Uppal with 9, Gaurav Natekar with 8 and Ankita Bhambri with 7.

The 40-member SOM roster referenced for the election comprises 20 male and 20 female former players, established under the National Sports Governance Act.

Their election fills the four SOM positions on the AITA general body as specified in the amended constitution. The SOM roster established under the National Sports Governance Act provided the pool from which these representatives were chosen.