New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday urged Mahesh Bhupathi to roll back his decision to quit team tennis and play in the Doha Asian Games in December.
"I have spoken to all three concerned, Anil Khanna (Secretary General of All India Tennis Association), Mahesh and Leander (Paes). They were all co-operative and promised to resolve the issue as it is a matter of national prestige," Kalmadi said in a statement.
Bhupathi announced on Monday that he was retiring from team events since he wanted to concentrate on winning the Australian Open, the one Grand Slam which he was yet to win.
The Bangalorean is named in the Indian squad to play with Paes in the men's doubles at Doha.
"Mahesh is very vital to India's challenge at the Asian Games and as a senior member we want his presence in the squad to boost our medals tally at the Games," Kalmadi said.
"World Class stars like Mahesh and Leander are an integral part of our contingent. India will be hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and
tennis is going to be included at our request in the programme. So we need to present our best challenge in Doha and Beijing.
"Mahesh and Leander were unlucky to miss the medal at Athens, but I am sure they are capable of striking a medal at Beijing ... my appeal to them is to play together for the sake of the country."
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