Khanna's ITF Presidency bid receives boost with Asian countries set to provide their support

India's Anil Khanna has received a boost in his bid to become the next ITF President ©ITF

Indian Anil Khanna’s bid to become the next International Tennis Federation (ITF) President has received a boost as the bulk of voting Asian nations are expected to give him the nod over his three challengers during the election at the organisation’s Annual General Assembly in Santiago, Chile on Friday (September 25).

Khanna is one of four contenders vying to replace outgoing President Francesco Ricci Bitti, who also heads the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, alongside American David Haggerty, Juan Margets of Spain and Swiss Professional Tennis Association President Rene Stambach.

The current head of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) will have the backing of the majority of the 37 Asian countries who will participate in the vote, it has been claimed.

If elected, Khanna would be the first Asian President of tennis’ governing body and he appeared defiant in a recent press conference, declaring “I wouldn't be contesting the election if I did not have a chance of winning.”

Khanna, an ITF Executive Board member, has been praised for his work in developing the sport in India having brought a number of tennis events to the nation in recent times, including two Challengers and 15 Futures competitions.

He has often mentioned how the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour, the main men’s tour on the tennis circuit, has taken a back seat in Asia and he hopes to bring more of the top competitions to the continent.

The Indian was, however, forced to defend his position as AITA President last year following reports the Sports Ministry had asked him to step down for apparently violating the statutes of the organisation.

He was general secretary of AITA for 12 years between 2000 and 2012 and it had been claimed that, as a result, he would be required to serve a four-year cooling off period before being elected to the top job.

The four candidates are vying to replace outgoing President Francesco Ricci Bitti ©ITF

These claims were dismissed by Khanna, who stated "for the post of president, however, no cooling off period is required and the president can hold office for three terms of four years until the age of 70 years".

Khanna faces tough competition from the other three candidates with Haggerty, who is currently serving as an ITF vice-president, pledging to review the formats of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup should he be successful in his bid for the position, while Spaniard Margets is an ITF executive vice-president.

The chosen President and replacement for Ricci Bitti, who has been in the role for 16 years, will serve a four-year term, concluding in 2019.

More than 280 delegates, partners and staff from National and Regional Associations, as well as foundation members and recognised organisations of the ITF, are expected to attend the AGM.