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Leeladhar Singh
PUNE, DEC 31: A tiring journey from Indore to Pune compounded by mechanical problems with the car on the midnight of December 30. Nandan Bal and family could not have thought of a worse ending to 1998.
But the former Davis Cupper had a surprise waiting for him in Pune. The news of his appointment as a member of the AITA's three-member Davis Cup selection committee recharged his batteries.
``It's an honour,'' said a thrilled 39-year-old Nandan adding, ``I had not expected it, more so at this age,'' he added excitedly. Nandan will be replacing Sumanth Mishra of Delhi, who opted a voluntary retirement due to old age. The committee now consists of three former Davis Cup members -- the other two are Delhi's Shyam Malhotra, chairman of the committee, and SP Mishra of Hyderabad.
Nandan, a former Davis Cup coach, was of the view that the job was challenging and exciting. ``We are back into the Asian group. Now our job is to formulate a systematic planning for further progress in the Davis Cup.''``The key factorfor selecting the Indian team would be to do with the players' past performance, their current form and on what surface they have been playing.'' Nandan's first assignment will be in mid-January 1999, to select the team for the forthcoming tie against South Korea. According to Nandan, India is good on paper. He is sure of the doubles, and also has full faith in Mahesh Bhupathi, as he says, ``Mahesh has handled the Indian challenge well in the Asia Cup and at the Bangkok Asian Games, despite Leander's absence.''
Despite Paes and Bhupathi being direct choices, and Prahlad Srinath and Syed Fazaluddin playing in top form, Nandan believes in encouraging youngsters. ``A chance to be part of the Davis Cup squad, if only as a reserve, will motivate them to put more efforts to get into the playing four. This will also help us build a future for Indian tennis.''
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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