CHENNAI: It was inevitable from the moment the elections were held four years ago. It was like a forced union and it remained one until the end. Like most national sports federations that had elections in and around 2022, the Table Tennis Federation of India ran into trouble even before the final offices-bearers were elected. There were two factions and it remained until the federation was suspended by the sports ministry on Wednesday.
According to the sports ministry’s order, TTFI has failed to adhere to the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and democratic functioning expected of a recognized National Sports Federation, besides repeatedly disregarding the directions and guidelines issued by this Ministry from time to time. "Hence, suspended and so that the sport doesn’t suffer, a committee to be constituted by the IOA that will look after its functioning. Because of the suspension the TTF will not be eligible for financial grants or any official patronage," said the order.
What seemed even more curious is that the sports ministry has invoked National Sports Development Code of India 2011 even after commencement of select provisions of the National Sports Governance Act 2025 from January this year. The ministry has also asked all the federations to align their constitution with the new NSGA 2025 and has given time till December 31. However, in the case of the TTFI, the ministry decided to invoke the 2011 sports code while suspending them.
This is interesting because the NSGA is supposed to supersede the provisions of the sports code. And according to the NSGA, the sports ministry cannot suspend or recognise any National Sports Federation.
The TTFI has seen internal rift right after the elections between its president Meghna Ahlawat and secretary general Kamlesh Mehta. This led to multiple governance issues including missing regular Annual General Meetings. It was not limited to AGMs alone, even auditing of accounts could not be done because of the two factions. With neither showing signs of backing out, things started to get messier and the matter even landed in court.
The sports ministry has red flagged quite a few glaring discrepancies apart from the rift right at the top.
Another point red flagged by the ministry was the appointment of MP Singh as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by TTFI through an AGM held on 19.07.2024. The ministry said that it was in contravention of ministry's directives dated 28.02.2022 and “the said fact was very much within the knowledge of TTFI. Further, TTFI in its reply failed to provide any explanation as to why despite such clear and categoric directives of the Ministry, such an appointment was made by TTFI.” The ministry pointed out that the purported resignation of Singh was not conveyed to them either.
Not passing audited accounts too was flagged by the ministry. The ministry said that “it was a violation of the explanation furnished by TTFI regarding the non-uploading of the Audited Financial Statements for the FY. 2023–2024 and 2024-2025 is unsatisfactory. Although the Financial Statements for F.Y. 2023-2024 were audited on 30.09.2024, they were placed before the General Body for adoption only on 28.01.2026 after an unexplained delay of over 15 months.” Because of the infighting and commotion within the TTFI, regular AGMs were never held and accounts never got passed or audited.
Other concerns
The ministry is not happy with the TTFI selection policy either. It said that the selection policy of TTFI, as framed in May 2023 as well as in July this year is in “clear violation of the ministry's policy dated 05.03.2025, wherein some fundamental contraventions have been observed”. This, according to the ministry, raises concerns about fairness in the selection criteria put in place by TTFI but at the same time is also disadvantageous and puts restriction on some meritorious athletes who are regularly participating at the international circuit and having better world rankings. The released selection policy, being the only selection policy in force, does not address selection criteria for mega sporting events such as the Olympics or Asian Games.
The ministry also flagged the appointment of an interim treasurer for a period of 18 months without election. “The holding of post of treasurer for a longer period of more than 18 months by an interim Treasurer viz., Shri Raju Duggal nominated by TTFI pursuant to resignation of Shri Nagendra P. Reddy from the said post in the month of March, 2024 on the directives of this Ministry raises serious concerns regarding the effective functioning of TTFI,” said the order.
