Manika Batra on TTFI row

New Delhi [India]June 26 (ANI): Indian table tennis player Manika Batra has raised concerns over the selection process for the Asian Games team, claiming that the composition of the selection committee was not in accordance with the Constitution of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

In a post on social media platform

However, she claimed that documents in her possession show that a nine-member selection committee has finalized the selection of the Asian Games, while Article 24 (C) (j) of the constitution of the federation allows a maximum of seven members in a sub-committee.

‘TTFI indicated in its response to me that the entire selection process was conducted strictly in accordance with the rules. However, the documents available with me show that a nine-member selection committee decided the Asian Games team, while Article 24(C)(j) of the TTFI Constitution states that no sub-committee can have more than seven members,” Batra shared a post on X.

https://x.com/manikabatra_TT/status/2070353428778553701?s=20

“A nine-member committee decided my fate, but I was told the process was fully compliant with the Constitution and the rules. “I leave it to the people to decide, especially those who have repeatedly said that rules should be respected by all and adhered to equally,” Batra added.

Batra further stated that she is mentally exhausted due to the ongoing dispute and would now shift her focus back to competition duties. She added that she is currently participating in a tournament representing India and will be fully focused on her upcoming matches. Batra also extended her best wishes to the selected squad and expressed hope that they would make the country proud.

‘I am mentally exhausted from this fight and for the time being I lay down my sword. I have a greater responsibility today. I am currently at a tournament representing India and my entire focus will now be on the upcoming tournament. I wish the selected team nothing but success. Go make India proud. Jai Hind,” the Indian table tennis player concluded.

Earlier, Batra had raised major concerns over her exclusion from India’s main squad for the upcoming Asian Games. She said she is not looking for selection, but demands transparency and clear reasons for the decision.

The 31-year-old Olympian was named as one of the reserves when the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) announced a 10-member contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

In a detailed statement after her exclusion from the main squad, Manika said she has represented India at the highest level for 20 years and accepted both victories and setbacks as part of the sport, but was left wondering what she described as a lack of clarity in the selection process.

“For the past two decades, I have had the privilege of representing India at the highest level. Throughout my career I have accepted victories, defeats, selections and non-selections. That’s part of table tennis. What I find difficult to accept, however, is a lack of clarity and arbitrariness. In recent days I have seen many people saying that I am looking for a place in the Asian Games team or asking for special attention. Let me say this clearly. I’m not asking to be selected. I am not asking anyone to reverse the decision. I ask for answers. “I have not been given any specific reason for my non-selection,” she said.

She also asked about the ranking criteria used in the selection, pointed out fluctuations in international rankings and asked what period was taken into account in the evaluation.

‘I am currently number 51 in the world. The table tennis rankings are updated every week and work according to a rolling points system. This obviously raises important questions. What timeline was taken into account when evaluating the rankings? Was the rating based on the previous twelve months, six months, the previous two months, or on a single weekly ranking snapshot?’ she added. (ANI)