New Delhi, 12 August (H.S.): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Wednesday suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) over several governance-related concerns, including failure to conduct elections within the prescribed timeframe. The ministry has directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to consult the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and constitute an ad hoc committee to oversee the administration of the sport.

In its order, the ministry said TTFI had been issued a show-cause notice earlier this year, but its response was found to be unsatisfactory. The ministry subsequently decided to suspend the federation’s recognition.

The ministry said, “The IOA, in consultation with the international federation (ITTF), shall take necessary steps to establish an appropriate internal regulatory mechanism within TTFI. This shall also include the constitution of an ad hoc committee until a duly constituted governance structure is restored within TTFI.”

The ministry identified TTFI’s failure to conduct elections on time as one of the principal grounds for the suspension. According to the ministry, the federation had failed to adhere to the accountability and democratic functioning expected of a National Sports Federation and had repeatedly disregarded directions and guidelines issued by the ministry.

Meghna Ahlawat, who assumed charge as TTFI president in December 2022, is the federation’s first woman president. Since the beginning of her tenure, the functioning of the federation has periodically come under scrutiny and been accompanied by internal disputes.

In January this year, TTFI suspended former player and secretary-general Kamlesh Mehta over alleged financial irregularities. Mehta challenged the decision before the Delhi High Court, which subsequently set aside his suspension.

The episode also highlighted an alleged power struggle within the federation. TTFI, however, denied the allegations and maintained that its decision had been taken in the interest of transparency, collective decision-making and the long-term development of Indian table tennis.

TTFI had also faced controversy over the selection of star paddler Manika Batra for the Asian Games team. The federation had cited her failure to participate in the required domestic competitions as the reason for her exclusion. Batra publicly criticised the decision, describing the selection process as unclear and unfair, and sought the intervention of the Sports Ministry.

The ministry took note of these issues relating to the functioning of TTFI and subsequently issued a show-cause notice to the federation.

The ministry also expressed concern over delays in the conduct of national championships and questioned TTFI’s role in ensuring the welfare of athletes. It cited the delay in organising the national championships last year as one example of the federation’s shortcomings.

TTFI is required to hold elections this year, but it has not yet provided clarity on when the electoral process will begin.

TTFI had also faced suspension in 2022. In February that year, the Delhi High Court intervened after Manika Batra challenged the federation’s selection policy, which had resulted in her exclusion from the Asian Championships squad. The court ordered the appointment of an administrator and made strong observations regarding the functioning of the federation.

Following fresh elections in December 2022, TTFI’s administration was subsequently restored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar