India suspends table tennis federation five weeks before Asian Games

India's Ministry of Sports has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), citing governance deficiencies. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been tasked with temporarily administering the sport.

The decision comes just over five weeks before the start of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The IOA, in coordination with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), must establish an interim mechanism, including an ad hoc committee, until the TTFI can form a properly constituted governing structure.

The TTFI, led by Meghna Ahlawat since December 2022, has been embroiled in an internal dispute since the beginning of the year. This led to the suspension of its secretary-general, Kamlesh Mehta, in January over alleged financial irregularities, though this decision was later overturned by the Delhi High Court.

Adding to the controversy, star player Manika Batra was excluded from the Indian contingent for the Asian Games. The federation cited her failure to meet selection criteria due to a lack of participation in national competitions, despite her world ranking of 51 and being the second-highest ranked Indian player. Batra had appealed to the Ministry of Sports and the Prime Minister, threatening legal action if her exclusion was not adequately explained.