Sports Ministry suspends recognition of Table Tennis Federation of India

The Sports Ministry on Wednesday suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), citing governance deficiencies, and asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to put in place an interim mechanism to administer the sport. The ministry's action follows months of turmoil within the national federation and comes after it found TTFI's response to an earlier show-cause notice unsatisfactory. Among the issues cited by the government was the federation's failure to conduct elections within the prescribed timeframe.

The IOA has now been asked to work in consultation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to establish an internal regulatory arrangement, including the formation of an ad-hoc committee. The interim arrangement will remain in place until a properly constituted governance structure is restored within TTFI, according to the ministry's order.

Months of turmoil within TTFI

TTFI has faced a series of internal disputes in recent months. The federation had suspended its Secretary General and former international player Kamlesh Mehta in January over alleged financial irregularities. Mehta challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court, which subsequently quashed his suspension. TTFI had maintained that its action against Mehta was intended to protect transparency, collective decision-making and the long-term interests of the sport, rejecting suggestions that the episode was the result of an internal power struggle.

The federation later became embroiled in another controversy following the exclusion of star paddler Manika Batra from India's Asian Games squad.

Batra publicly questioned the decision and sought the Sports Ministry's intervention, alleging that the federation's selection process lacked clarity and fairness. The TTFI had cited insufficient domestic participation while leaving her out of the squad. The ministry subsequently took note of the controversies surrounding the federation and issued a show-cause notice. According to reports citing ministry sources, TTFI's response failed to satisfactorily address the government's concerns.

Elections also under scanner

The failure to conduct the federation's elections on schedule emerged as another major reason behind the government's decision to withdraw recognition. TTFI is currently headed by Meghna Ahlawat, who became the federation's first woman president after taking charge in December 2022.

The present body was elected following an earlier period of court-appointed administration. In February 2022, the Delhi High Court had suspended the federation's executive committee and appointed a Committee of Administrators to run its affairs. A new set of office-bearers was subsequently elected in December that year.

The latest government action once again places the administration of Indian table tennis under an interim arrangement. The IOA will now have to coordinate with the ITTF while putting the temporary mechanism in place, with the objective of ensuring that competitions, player-related matters and the administration of the sport continue while governance issues within the federation are addressed.