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Tired of controversies, Sania not to play in India

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Agencies

Posted online: Monday , February 04, 2008 at 05:56:52
Updated: Monday , February 04, 2008 at 06:14:19


Hyderabad, February 4: Tired of being dragged into one controversy after another in the past few months, Sania Mirza has decided against playing in India for now.

Sania has opted out of next month's Bangalore Open and has cited the petty controversies that have been dogging her for quite some time for the pullout.

"I am not playing in Bangalore Open. I have been advised by my manager not to play (there) because a lot has been happening in the past few months," Sania said.

"Everytime I have played in India, there has been some kind of problem. So we just thought it was better not to play this time," she added.

Ever since her breakthrough 2005 season, Sania has been battling controversies ranging from her on court attire being dubbed indecent by Islamic fundamentalists to the recent flag controversy during the Hopman Cup in December last year.

In fact, the off court furores had shaken the world number 29 to such an extent that she had contemplated giving up the game altogether a few weeks before last month's Australian Open.

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Tired of controversies, Sania not to play in India by Mathew P. Abraham on 05 Feb 2008

As a temporary measure, Sania's decision not to participate in home tournaments is a wise decision. There are some, who will not do anything and who do not others do anything good- a dog in the manger policy.

BLAME THE UPA GOVT by rajababu on 05 Feb 2008

AFTER FAILING TO PROTECT TASLEEMA NASREEN, ONCE AGAIN THE PRO MULLAH UPA GOVT. IN DELHI IS EXPOSED IT WILL BE IN SANIA'S INTERESTS TO GO AND LIVE IN THE WEST, WHERE THE TRULY DEMOCRTIC GOVTS. STAND UP FOR THEIR CITIZENS AND THEIR RIGHTS, LIKE THE UK GOVT. SPENT MILLIONS TO PROTECT SALMAN RASHDI THE UPA GOVT HAS DISGRACED INDIAN DEMOCRACY, AND HAS NO RIGHT TO STAY IN POWER, LETS US HOPE IT WILL BE VOTED OUT BY BALLETS IN THE NEXT ELECTION

It is Govt's duty to help sports persanilty by A sporty Indian Muslim girl on 05 Feb 2008

If a handful Mullahs can intimidate a talent like Sania, No muslims boy or girl will come forward in any field to serve India in future It is sad, the Government is not doing anything, as it is only interested in Mullahs votes

Sania refuses to play in India by Jogiram on 05 Feb 2008

Very good Sania, this is the right way to respond to us Indians, who don't knwo how to treat the few sportspersons we have got

ignore the noise makers by shi on 05 Feb 2008

so soon, Big B will stop acting becuase of the nonsensical noise that a few in a crowd of 1 Billion create. We have a few who's intention is to get cheap publicity by attacking politicians, actors and players....the only way to counter them is to ignore them...including by the media...

Sania not to play in India by Dilip on 05 Feb 2008

Its a pity that Sania has withdrawn from Bangalore Open but I a full understanding for doing so. We have a good number of crazy people, amongst the Hindus and Muslims, who for very trival reasons want to have publicity for ones on self. The loosers are the sports fans. Sania has made us, Indians proud and her achievements in such a short career are laudable. The press and media should help her in over coming such setbacks by critizising the people who are troubling our Indian Maedel(Girl), She has done a lot for Womens Tennis in India. She is Steffi Graf of India. Keep off her and let her concentrate on tennis and bring glory to both herself and India.

U R right by Ravyrao on 05 Feb 2008

Yes, i appreciate the decision of Sania. One should have the barveness to say thro the media that petty and trivial gossips and controvercies are more in India than seeing / encouraging the game. People see Sania differently not as a player. so, let Indians rightly deserve to miss her Tennis in India. I go with her feel. Kudos to sania

Sania Controversy by Arun on 05 Feb 2008

I disagree with Sania's decision, simply because the name, fame and money she got from where, who gave her PADMASHREE, be petriotic, and keep arrogance on one side, and behave maturedly, the same INDIA and INDIANS brought her up to here.

Support to Sania by Murali on 05 Feb 2008

She is absolutely right and I fully agree with her decision not to pay in India. This is the usual attitude of our government and its police to harrass maximum even on silly reasons. Everyone may not like such treatment of our govt. She is the one to decide whether to play in India or not, and I fully support her in her decision not to play in India until our govt. come into its sense

Sania Controversy - Is it arrogance by Guru Moorthy on 05 Feb 2008

At times I wonder, where was the Hopman cup played. If you look at Sania's statement you would end up believing that Hopman Cup was played in India and there it generated controversy. If you further analyse her statement, Mecca Masjid was where she went to play tennis and there she was not allowed to do the same/or she was harrassed. In a year she does so much of work for Indian Tennis that she has spent seven days last year playing tennis for India. I also wonder who supports her in Dubai, Florida or in Grand Slams. Are they Indians?. I think misinformation has a cure, but arrogance?.I believe lot of Indian souls, most of us work hard and work hard for country, you are doing your job, amply rewarded and honored. (You were 20 when they bestowed u with Padmasree) so stop cribbing, The simple thought I am doing great/favor for the country and look at others - Arrogance No 1.

Support by Arpit on 05 Feb 2008

I strongly support the decision of Sania of not playing in India.May be this time people should understand we should support the talent apart from contro.

Sania not to play because of controversaries by Jagdish Shethia on 05 Feb 2008

I am one of the great fan of sania Mirza and I would like to give her some advise. Why at first she should enter into those things which she is also knows being matured will create controversaries. First the shooting at Masjid and second the insulting of the flag. Does she not know that by doing these things she is only defaming her name?Why she cannot refrain from such things and concentrate on her play?I feel sorry for her being ardent fan feel that she should act like mature sportswoman than what she does and it has own reaction.I would persnally request her being her fan to stop these acts which leads to unnecessary pain and torture for her.All the best to you Sania as the above has been said in right persepctive.

Time to practise by Vijay Shankar on 05 Feb 2008

If she is pissed off with people and dont want to play it is a good decision. Also its better she practises her service and to keep eyes on the ball always - never to take eyes off the ball !

Sanya by Rajaram on 05 Feb 2008

Sanya should migrate to modern Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia. Indian Muslims will not allow her live in peace

This is not expected from her by Meenakshi on 05 Feb 2008

Well thats not what is expected from her.Being in controversies is part of being popular, take example of Harbhajan, Tendulkar or even Big B, but they have always faced the controversies and not ran away.So we really don't understand this decision.Is this just that she is hardly interested in playing domestic tennis or thinks its not so imp tournament and she would better give rest to her injured form.What ever the reason,but taking shield of escape from controversies is no reason for a sports person to just say NO to game that has made them what they are today.Looks more like a tantrum than a sensible decision.

Sania... you need to play in India! by Hemant on 05 Feb 2008

Alright! We need to put this entire issue in perspective. 1. All the cases filed against Sania have been pure harassment by some Muslims who envy an Indian performing at the international level. 2. She is human and she has feelings and she can choose what she wants to do with her life and career. 3. I am disappointed in her. I was expecting a little more spine. When the Indians are supporting her regardless of their religion, how can she back away from a handful of fundamentalist Muslims? Trust me the majority of Muslims in India are pure Indians and they support Sania as much as a Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Parsi or Buddhist from India. So I would request Sania to reconsider her decision. I am almost certain she doesn't read ExpressIndia.com (no disrespect intended to the portal), but just in case she does.... come on... to hell with a bunch of idiots, think about the majority of the Indians. We want to see you play in India.

We are with you Sania by Jojo on 05 Feb 2008

Its a slap on the face of people harassing her. They should apologize and stop harassing sports and film people. No wonder why no sport other than cricket can be ever popular in India given such pathetic mindsets of people. If someone tries to go up, there are thousands of others trying to pull them down at some pretext or the other.

Sani by Prem Kumar on 05 Feb 2008

This is a very bad statement from a person who claims to be the brand amabassdor for the country. If you cannot get along and manage your realtions with fellow country men how do you expect others to emulate you? More than the decission, making a media annoucement of the same shows that your interest is only in personal gratification.

Who is interested in her game? by krish on 05 Feb 2008

It is certainly a good decision. Who were actually interested in her tennis? Mainly, media, was always looked more for a contraversy than her game because it is a cheap way they get ratings. If she yarns, oh what an obscene gesture by her!! when was the country really interested in her game?

Let's see if the jihadi's can play a better game. by rustamji on 05 Feb 2008

Great players have always run into problems in Indian subcontinent, because of pathetic support to games by general public. If the jihadis have declared war against women in this nation where women are revered as Gods, as per ancient native teachings, then it is up to the country to take up challenge and match such elements. If the jihadi terrorists feel they are supreme, then should prove their worth in a game before they kill or die, or else bring their elderly parents and young children to the carnage so that they can go the heaven with them at once.

Ms. Sonia cheer up. by Vilas on 05 Feb 2008

Do Not give up Ms. Sania. It is your right to do what you want as you seems it right. If Indian mob is harrqasing you, please migrate to some other country like USA to fullfill your dreams. The Indian mob has to grow up like Indian politians. Please keep playing as you are a role model to all young girls from Indian subcontinent.

Lead the way, Ms. Mirza by Jalaja Raghav on 05 Feb 2008

I agree with Vilas. Please don't give up and don't give in. You are one bright spot on the Indian Women Sport scene. May the Lord bless you with lot of strength in every way. Lead the way, Ms. Mirza!

Sania for India by siddharth on 05 Feb 2008

good call Sania!! Play for India but not for Indians till the court decides to do away with the non sensical PILs. Other sport stars should follow suit.

Religions by Joseph on 05 Feb 2008

It is true our country is not making any real progress because of religious fanatics of all religions.

Gossip column antics of an obese, aging, past her prime woman player- do we need to shed tears for such trash? by Nizam Md. Ptennis Player on 05 Feb 2008

Who is she trying to win sympathy from? She grovelled and apologised to I. fundamentalists, and now she throws a tantrum when her insult to flag is brought up. This is just a pathetic aging obese woman player, and whatever tennis years she had are already over. The only way she can remain in gossip columns is through creating controversies, and all this is just a publicity stunt of a psychopathic gangster's mall trained by no other than the other Hyderabadi goon Azharuddin.

Worthless Sports Fans by Vikram on 05 Feb 2008

Its precisely because of people like Nizam Md, Krish etc here why non cricketers cannot come up in our country. I bet these people would not even have seen her tennis on TV or live on court to make such rubbish comments. They may not know that she is improving her fitness and generally her tennis day by day to reach top 30. She is the lone Indian female tennis player or dare i say - a female Indian ATHLETE - to be known all over the world. "Pathetic aging obese woman player". What a shame Mr Nizam for using such words to describe her.Remember that its through her own and her family's efforts she has brought laurels to India, especially the women's tennis, with corporate sponsors only falling for cricketers. Instead of running away I feel the best reply from her was to come to Bangalore and win the open. Looks like some of you pretending sports fans cannot fathom non-cricketers making good names for themselves.

you are right by venkatrama reddy on 05 Feb 2008

Well said.I do agree with you

Poor Sania by Raju on 05 Feb 2008

Sir,There was no intentional disrespect to flag. What one see from the TV,coverage and I am sure it was not Tehlka Tapes, poor girl does not know even that her feet facing Indian Flag. Some ediots just make issue out of nothing. Sania is playing for the country and that is biggest respect she is giving to Indian nation. It is stupid of any one making out any other meaning of innocent situations.So long her dress is concern it is the bankrupt fundamentalist Islamic mind, and no can help her there as even GOI is seen giving in to these nuts! Sania and Taslima Nasrin are the latest victim of these fundamentalist jerks.

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