It was reported that Rebound Ace, an Australian firm specialising in synthetic play courts, laid down contracts for synthetic turfs, whose chief executive is Khanna's son Aditya, the latest in a series of allegations that have rocked the Commonwealth Games in recent days and put pressure on Kalmadi, the most influential sports administrator in Indian sport.

Khanna is also the President of the Asian Tennis Federation and executive secretary general of the All India Tennis Association, who own the R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium, where the tennis will be staged during the Commonwealth Games, which are due to open on October 3.

"I have resigned from the post of CWGOC (Commonwealth Games Organising Committee) treasurer," said Khanna at a hastily convened press conference at the Tennis Stadium.

"I am taking moral responsibility and quitting.

"I am not in the process of selection of the turf.

"I joined CWGOC office in 2010, the tendering process had taken place in December 2009.

"I was not keen on joining the CWGOC.

"Suresh Kalmadi requested me to join and I took up the job for the sake of my country.

"I was working as an advisory figure.

"I had no financial powers.

"The CWGOC constitution is such that I could not have spent even a single rupee.

"I was working as a custodian.

"In fact, from May 2010, I stopped signing cheques as well.

"My conscience is clean.

"I have nothing to hide.

"I am a chartered accountant and known to do things in a proper manner.

"I am also the President of the Asian Tennis Federation.

"It is a big responsibility."

Although Khanna claimed not to be involved in the selection of Rebound Ace, who were contracted to supply surfaces for 14 synthetic courts, he did insist that the procurement had been carried out fairly. 

"The Games should be held in a clean manner," he said.

"The Organising Committee consulted three turf companies and the entire tender process was dealt by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

"The budget allocated for the 14 courts was Rs.11.9 million and the cost of one court comes to Rs.850,000.

"The rate was much lesser than what was quoted by Indian companies.

"The courts are approved by the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) technical team."

Khanna also claimed that there is no official connection between Rebound Ace Australia and Rebound Ace India.

"Rebound Ace Australia is an independent company and Rebound Ace India is not its subsidiary," he said.

"Rebound Ace India is just a distributor of the Australian company in India.

"There are others distributors of Rebound Ace Australia in India as well."

Khanna admitted that the recent corruption allegations swirling around about the Games had influenced his decision.

"In April, I said there is more need for corporate governance in the Commonwealth Games," he said.

"I sought corporate governance during Organising Committee meetings.

"The corruption charges are shocking.

"I have quit to stay clean."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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