Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), citing governance deficiencies and its failure to conduct elections on time.

The ministry took the decision after receiving an “unsatisfactory response” to a show-cause notice issued to the federation.

Under the order, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in consultation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has been asked to take appropriate steps to establish an internal regulatory mechanism for the sport, including the formation of an ad-hoc committee until a duly constituted governance structure is restored in the TTFI.

The TTFI has faced criticism over its functioning in recent months. In June, star paddler Manika Batra alleged that the federation had violated its own Constitution while selecting the Indian squad for the Asian Games.

Batra, 31, was named among the reserves when the TTFI announced its 10-member contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4.

She claimed that although the TTFI had informed her that the selection process was conducted strictly according to the rules, documents available with her indicated that a nine-member selection committee had finalised the Asian Games team.

Batra alleged that the nine-member committee was contrary to Article 24(C)(j) of the TTFI Constitution, which stipulates that no sub-committee can have more than seven members.

The latest action by the Sports Ministry comes as the federation faces renewed scrutiny over its governance and selection procedures.