TTFI Loses Sports Ministry Recognition Over Failure to Hold Elections

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) on Wednesday suspended recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) over governance deficiencies, with the immediate issue being the federation's failure to conduct its organisational elections within the prescribed timeframe. The Ministry also found TTFI's response to a show-cause notice issued over the delay unsatisfactory.

The action means the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in consultation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), will establish an interim regulatory mechanism, including an ad-hoc committee, to administer table tennis in India until a duly constituted governance structure is restored.

The development comes amid wider concerns over TTFI's functioning, including internal factionalism and disputes over decision-making. The federation is headed by Meghna Ahlawat, its first woman president.

In June, leading paddler Manika Batra was involved in a dispute with the federation over the selection process for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After being named among the reserves, Batra questioned the constitution of the selection committee, alleging that a nine-member panel had taken the final call despite TTFI's Constitution limiting such a sub-committee to seven members. She later withdrew her challenge, citing the need to protect her mental peace.

TTFI had also faced administrative intervention in 2022 over its functioning. More recently, then Secretary General Kamlesh Mehta was suspended by the federation over alleged financial irregularities and unauthorised decisions. The Delhi High Court later overturned his suspension while taking note of factionalism within the organisation.

Recognition of national sports federations is linked to compliance with applicable sports-governance requirements, including provisions on elections, office-bearer tenure and governance. The Ministry's 2023 records show it had accepted TTFI's December 2022 election for the 2022-2026 term.

The suspension will remain until TTFI restores a compliant governance structure, with the IOA and ITTF overseeing the interim arrangement.