Maken questions AITA's decision to pick one team

New Delhi: Sports minister Ajay Maken Monday questioned All India Tennis Association's (AITA) decision to send only one men's doubles team to the London Olympics when it had the option of picking two.

"We can send 2 teams, why send 1? Hidden question is on who should pair Sania? Why disturb victorious Grand Slam mixed double pair?" Maken tweeted, reacting to the latest controversy in Indian tennis.

AITA Friday chose Bhupathi and Paes for the London Games over the current tour pairing of Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.

Two Indian doubles teams can compete in the mega event as the World No.7 Paes is eligible to choose the player of his choice on the basis of his individual ranking while seventh-ranked Bhupathi and Bopanna qualify as a team.

AITA, however, is firm on sending a lone team, saying the pair having Paes will have the best chance of winning an Olympic medal.

The June 21 deadline of filing the nomination is approaching near even though Bhupathi and Bopanna have declined to play alongside Paes.

AITA will take a decision on the 2012 French Open winning mixed doubles pairing of Bhupathi and Sania Mirza if the latter gets a wildcard for the July 27-Aug 12 event. (IANS)