The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Thursday urged the Sports Ministry to reconsider its decision to withdraw recognition from the national body, arguing that its autonomy under the Olympic Charter must be respected and its administration kept free from third-party interference.
The Ministry on Wednesday suspended the TTFI and asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to run the sport, citing governance lapses. It said the federation’s failure to hold elections on time and an “unsatisfactory response” to a show-cause notice were among the reasons behind the decision.
In a statement issued by TTFI president Meghna Ahlawat, the federation urged the Ministry to keep its August 12 order in abeyance and reconsider the matter afresh.
“TTFI respectfully seeks the Ministry’s kind consideration of the implications that any external or interim administrative arrangement may have in this regard, including the principles of autonomy recognised under Rules 27 and 28 of the Olympic Charter,” the federation said.
“The Olympic Charter and the Statutes of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) recognise and expressly protect the autonomy of National Sports Federations and require their governance and administration to remain free from any third-party interference,” it added.
TTFI SAYS CITED DEFICIENCIES WERE ADDRESSED
The federation, while expressing its regard for the Ministry, maintained that it is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with its governance guided by its Constitution and General Body.
TTFI also disputed the grounds cited in the Ministry’s order, saying the concerns had either been addressed or required further clarification before the show-cause notice was issued on June 30.
“TTFI submits that each of the deficiencies cited in the impugned Order was either factually incorrect or had already been remedied well before the Show Cause Notice dated 30.06.2026 was issued,” it said.
The federation said it had presented its position to the Ministry in its detailed reply dated July 7, supported by minutes, resolutions and audited records.
TTFI has been embroiled in internal turmoil in recent months. In January, it suspended secretary general and former player Kamlesh Mehta over alleged financial irregularities. Mehta challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court, which later quashed his suspension.
The federation also pointed to India’s recent performances, highlighting five women and three men ranked in the ITTF world Top-100/Top-50 respectively, along with medal-winning performances at the 2022 Asian Games and 2026 Asian Youth Championships.
“TTFI remains in close and constructive engagement with the Ministry and is fully committed to addressing any concerns,” it said.
“TTFI believes that concerns referred to in the Show Cause Notice have either been duly addressed or appropriately clarified. The Federation therefore proposes to request the Ministry to kindly keep the Order dated 12.08.2026 in abeyance and to consider the matter afresh.”
The TTFI also reaffirmed its commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
– Ends
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