India confident world doubles will be moved

India are confident that the ATP will put back the world doubles championship by two weeks to avoid a clash with the Afro-Asian Games, the secretary of the All India Tennis Association said on Thursday.

"We have asked the ATP to shift the tournament to November 19. We are very confident they will agree," Anil Khanna said.

The $750,000 ATP world doubles were due to be played in Bangalore starting on November 7, while the inaugural Games -- which will feature athletics, boxing, hockey, shooting, soccer, swimming and weightlifting alongside tennis -- are to be staged in New Delhi from November 3-11.

"I'm sure the ATP would not like their tournament to be marginalised because of the Afro-Asian Games. I'm sure they will agree. We have made our request, talks are on," Khanna added.

India's former world number one doubles pair, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would probably miss the Afro-Asian Games if the two events clash.

Bhupathi told Reuters from Atlanta earlier this month the pair would not pull out of the prestigious ATP event, where the top eight pairs in the world play for the title.

"By shifting the event, the players will get enough rest to be prepared for the world championships after the Games," Khanna said.