The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday insisted that without its approval no ATP or WTA event can be organised in India.

AITA sought to clear the air after some sections of the media quoted ATP as saying that it can sanction private bodies to hold events taking into account the organisers' ability and without any third party approval.

AITA, which had recently barred private bodies from holding ATP and WTA events in the country, categorically said that no private organiser can claim rights to organise ATP events without its consent.

"Any ATP Tour and WTA Tour event being conducted in India requires the approval from the government of India and this approval from Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Sports is only given to the national federations as has been the norm for international events for all sports in India," AITA said in a statement.

AITA said it had to take action "after a private organisation cancelling an ATP Tour event citing false reasons which were also detrimental to the image of the nation and another private organisation cancelling the WTA event without even informing AITA."

The governing body in the country said it wants to ensure that international commitments are honoured and no tournament is cancelled once applied for.

"This can only be ensured by AITA. If AITA is directly responsible for conducting such a tournament either entirely on its own or in partnership with a private promoter."

AITA said it feels the necessity to hold tournaments by itself so that all the profits do not go into private hands and nothing goes into the development of sport in the country.

"AITA has now decided that it would not give a sanction to any other ATP or WTA Tour events except the Chennai Open and the WTA Tour event in Bangalore. AITA will request the ATP and WTA to allocate one tour events to AITA on the same terms and conditions as they would normally give to a private promoter.

"AITA will also be happy to take help and join hands with private entrepreneurs in conducting ATP and WTA tour events. This would definitely include Globosport who have already conducted some events successfully," the statement said.

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