Bopanna blasts sports ministry rule as five tennis players miss Asian Games squad
Tennis player Rohan Bopanna has criticized the Indian sports ministry for changing selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games, which resulted in five qualified players being excluded. Bopanna argues that merit and rankings should determine participation rather than arbitrary boardroom decisions.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores the tension between administrative sports policy and the meritocratic expectations of athletes and their sponsors.
Two-time Asian Games gold medallist Rohan Bopanna has questioned the changes made to India's tennis squad for the 2026 Asian Games, saying players who had earned their place through rankings were left out after the selection process was changed.The sports ministry's guidelines limited the Asian Games tennis squad to players ranked among the top eight in Asia. As a result, Manas Dhamne, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaidehee Chaudhari and Prarthana Thombare missed out on selection.Five players who had qualified were affected after the selection process followed the sports ministry's top-eight-in-Asia rule.In a post on LinkedIn, Bopanna said the decision raised questions about the value of rankings and qualification.“Five players, including India’s No. 1 and No. 2 in women’s singles, earned their rankings the hard way. No shortcuts. No favours.
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