Moves to hold World doubles next year

With the ATP World doubles tennis championship, scheduled to be held in Bangalore, next month cancelled in view of security concerns following the United States air strikes in Afghanistan, moves are on by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association to host the prestigious event next year.

"The KSLTA will be working with the ATP to host next year's edition in lieu of this year," association secretary C S Sunder Raju informed on Saturday.

Raju said the ATP cancelled the event, which was to be held from November 7 to 11, due to the "prevailing circumstances".

The ATP, he said, had sought information on the status of security for players, given the "geo-political circumstances".

Based on the advice given by the Karnataka government's law and order department, the KSLTA suggested that given the concerns of the players, it would be more appropriate to host the event at a later date, preferably late December 2001 or January 2002.

Accordingly, KSLTA sought ATP's permission to postpone the event.

Under the circumstances, the ATP decided, in conjunction with the Players' Council, to cancel the event for this year, he added.