Table Tennis federation challenges sports ministry suspension, cites Olympic Charter autonomy

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Thursday asked the Sports Ministry to reconsider its decision to suspend the federation’s recognition, saying the move could affect the body’s autonomy under the Olympic Charter.The federation also requested the ministry to keep its August 12 order in abeyance and review the matter.The Sports Ministry on Wednesday withdrew recognition of the TTFI and asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to administer table tennis in India. The Ministry cited governance issues, including the federation’s failure to hold elections on time, after receiving an “unsatisfactory response” to a show-cause notice issued earlier this year.In a statement issued by TTFI president Meghna Ahlawat, the federation said external or interim administration could have implications for the autonomy of a National Sports Federation.“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,” TTFI 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.The TTFI said it respects the Sports Ministry and acknowledged its role, but maintained that its governance is governed by its own Constitution and the principles of sporting autonomy.“TTFI is an autonomous society duly registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and is governed by its Constitution and General Body. The Federation holds the Ministry in the highest regard and recognises its role.”“At the same time, TTFI respectfully submits that the governance and administration of an autonomous National Sports Federation are guided by its Constitution and the applicable principles of sporting autonomy and good governance,” the statement said.Ahlawat took charge as TTFI president in December 2022. She is the wife of Haryana MLA Dushyant Chautala, whose father Ajay Singh Chautala is a former TTFI president.The federation has faced several issues in recent months. In January, it suspended its 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 TTFI said the issues mentioned in the Ministry’s order had already been addressed before the show-cause notice was issued in June. It said the factual position was submitted to the Ministry on July 7 and argued that the deficiencies cited by the Ministry were either “factually incorrect” or had been “remedied” before the notice was issued.