New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS): All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Anil Khanna Friday rejected reports that the sports ministry has asked him to step down for violating the government guidelines in the election process and reiterated that the tennis body was the first National Sports Federation (NSF) to accept the sports code.

Khanna said that AITA has not received any letter from the sports ministry and maintained that his election as the president of AITA was well within government guidelines.

“It is evident from the guidelines that a cooling off period is required for the re-election to the post of secretary general or treasurer if either of that position has been held for eight years. For the post of president, however, no cooling off period is required and the president can hold office for three terms of four years till the age of 70 years,” Khanna stated.

“I, as President of AITA, would like to reaffirm the commitment of AITA to the government guidelines and would state that my election as President is in accordance with tenure guidelines and this has been followed by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recognition of AITA for 2013 and 2014,” he added.

Khanna said the ministry should have first communicated such issues to AITA before making them public.

“I expected MYAS to have at least extended me a normal courtesy of discussing this issue rather than releasing a letter to media which has not been received by AITA on a matter which is still sub-judice,” he said.