Government approves ₹10.05 Crore for AITA for FY 2026-27
As per the Minutes of Meeting from Annual Calendar for Training & Competition (ACTC) for Tennis 2026-27 released on the AITA website, the Government has approved ₹10.05 CR funding for Tennis
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has finalized a comprehensive development plan for tennis, approving a budget of ₹10.05 Crores for the Annual Calendar for Training & Competition (ACTC) for the 2026-27 financial year. The decision follows a high-level meeting held on March 18, 2026, aimed at bolstering India’s performance on the international stage.
Ambitious Medal Targets
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has committed to rigorous performance targets for upcoming major global events:
- 2026 Asian Games: Aiming for 5 medals across Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed categories.
- 2028 Olympic Games: Target of 3 medals in Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles.
- 2026 Youth Olympic Games: Targeting 2 medals at the junior level.
Strategic Budget Allocation
The approved budget of ₹10.05 Crores is distributed across several key developmental pillars:
| Category | Approved Budget (Rs.) |
| International Competition (India) | 3,91,00,000 |
| International Competition/Foreign Exposure | 2,14,00,000 |
| Grassroots Development | 2,00,00,000 |
| Coach & Technical Official Development | 1,00,00,000 |
| High-Performance Director (Remuneration) | 70,00,000 |
| Wheelchair Tennis | 30,00,000 |
A significant portion of the domestic competition budget is dedicated to hosting professional tournaments, including ATP Challenger events (up to Challenger 125) and ITF Men’s and Women’s circuits to provide Indian players with home-court advantages and ranking points.
Addressing Infrastructure and “Bench Strength”
While the Secretary (Sports) praised the Indian Davis Cup team for reaching the Global Top-16, he expressed serious concerns regarding India’s “limited bench strength” and an over-reliance on a few individual athletes.
To combat these issues, the SAI has mandated several binding commitments from AITA:
- Junior-to-Professional Pathway: Establishing a structured development programme for sub-junior and junior athletes to prevent talent dropout.
- High-Performance Centres (HPCs): Developing a network of HPCs across India, featuring one primary Centre of Excellence supported by 4–5 regional feeder centres.
- Accreditation Drive: AITA must proactively guide private academies to apply for Khelo India Accredited Academy (KIAA) status to enhance infrastructure and sports science support.
- Expert Oversight: The engagement of a High-Performance Director (HPD)—a foreign expert with a monthly remuneration of USD 7,000—is a mandatory requirement for the effective implementation of these programs.
Integrity and Governance
The roadmap also emphasizes strict adherence to global standards. AITA is required to maintain full compliance with the WADA Code and NADA rules, ensuring that anti-doping education and awareness programs are prominently featured for all athletes.
