India’s top paddlers are taking part in the National Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula at the moment, but instead of the competition, the focus has shifted to an unnecessary controversy. As reported by Sportstar, India’s top women’s singles paddler Manika Batra was drafted into the tournament at the very last moment, which needed some TTFI rules to be tweaked, especially for the player.
As per the TTFI’s Rule 17, no entries could be made to the tournament after December 2. But in clear violation of that, Manika was given preferential treatment. In addition to that, the draw and the seedings for the tournament were also changed.
Manika Batra & Helplessness of TTFI
The report further suggests that Manika called up the competition manager N. Ganeshan, to ask whether PSPB had sent her entry. Upon knowing the answer, Ganeshan received the entry through an email by PSPB, rather quickly. This of course brings TTFI in poor light. Apart from this, this wasn’t very well received by a section of players, coaches, and parents.