Delhi High Court on Friday directed the appointment of an administrator to run the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), saying that its faith was shaken in view of the sports body’s “sorry state of affairs”.
Justice Rekha Palli, who was dealing with the petition filed by star player Manika Batra, said the report of the three-member committee, constituted by it to look into the allegations of match-fixing levelled by the paddler against national coach Soumyadeep Roy, showed that TTFI “safeguarded the interests of its officials” and that “instead of promoting players, TTFI is dictating terms”.
The judge said that this country takes pride in its sportspersons and people who don’t understand how players are to be treated “should be out”.
The name of the administrator along with other relevant details concerning his appointment will be given in the court order. Manika had moved the court in September last year alleging that national coach Roy “pressurised” her to “throw away” an Olympic qualifier match in favour of one of his personal trainees.
“The report reveals a sorry state of affairs. The court is appalled to note some of the observations made by the committee with regard to the manner in which respondent no 1 (TTFI) and respondent no 3 (national coach) were functioning,” the judge said.
Manika later welcomed the development.
“I’ve the greatest faith in the judiciary. I’m grateful to the Govt of India andpeople of my country for the support,” Manika said in a statement.
