TABLE TENNIS | Domestic calendar in disarray after ad-hoc committee says TTFI-backed tournament is not recognised

The fate of the National Ranking Table Tennis tournament in Panchkula hangs in the balance after the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee made it clear that tournaments conducted by the suspended Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) will not be recognised as ranking events until an official domestic calendar is finalised.

In letters addressed to TTFI president Meghna Ahlawat on September 28 and 29, committee chairperson Indu Puri said the IOA-appointed body would prepare the domestic calendar in consultation with State associations and technical officials. Until then, “any tournaments held forthwith by TTFI shall not be considered as ranking tournaments.”

The clarification, coming barely a week before the Panchkula tournament is scheduled to begin on October 6 on Ahlawat’s home turf, has left several leading paddlers reconsidering their participation.

The event had attracted a strong field, including Manika Batra, who has not played a domestic tournament for over two years, and Asian Games bronze medallists Manush Shah and Diya Chitale.

With the tournament now unable to contribute towards the domestic ranking system unless its status is subsequently restored, several players, coaches and parents are understood to be weighing whether the travel to Panchkula is worthwhile.

The event could effectively be reduced to a prize-money tournament, although its eventual status could be revisited depending on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.

The ad-hoc committee’s position stems from the suspension of TTFI’s recognition by the Sports Ministry on August 12. It has maintained that the federation no longer has the authority to discharge public functions such as team selection, international representation and the conduct of official national ranking tournaments.

However, for the hundreds of players who had already made travel and accommodation arrangements, the uncertainty comes at a considerable cost. The tournament attracts everyone, from nine- and 10-year-olds competing in the junior categories to established senior professionals.

“The administrative differences will be settled in due course in courts, but it’s extremely unfair to put players’ future in jeopardy,” Haryana Table Tennis Association secretary MP Singh told The Hindu.

HTTA president Dushyant Chautala on Friday wrote a letter to the Sports Ministry, the IOA and other stakeholders highlighting “severe detriment to India’s elite and rising talent, mass financial and logistical ruin, violation of express governing mandates and catastrophic impact on the Olympic and international cycle” and requested for “immediate restoration” as official ranking event.

Singh estimated the combined financial loss to players, coaches and parents at around ₹8 crore if the tournament is disrupted.

“We coaches sincerely request all the administrators to think about promising and established players who have a lot at stake and address the players-related issues at the earliest,” said Jay Modak, a renowned coach.

Meanwhile, the ad-hoc committee has sought TTFI’s constitutional, financial and selection records to facilitate international entries and the transition of administrative responsibilities.

The TTFI affiliates, meanwhile, are understood to have opted for a legal recourse, challenging the CoA appointment and its procedure in various High Courts.