The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) president Meghna Ahlawat has requested the Sports Ministry to keep its suspension as the National Sports Federation on hold and reconsider the decision. She raised concerns about the implications of an interim administrative arrangement proposed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

In a statement issued on Thursday (August 13, 2026), a day after the Ministry suspended its recognition with immediate effect, Ms. Ahlawat said that the federation believed the concerns raised in the Ministry’s order had either been addressed or required further factual clarification.

While acknowledging the Ministry’s order, the TTFI sought to underline its autonomy as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. “The Federation therefore proposes to request the Ministry to kindly keep the Order dated 12.08.2026 in abeyance and to consider the matter afresh,” Ms. Ahlawat stated.

She also cautioned against any external or interim administrative arrangements, referring to the principles of sporting autonomy recognised under Rules 27 and 28 of the Olympic Charter. She stated that the Olympic Charter and ITTF statutes protect the autonomy of National Sports Federations and require their administration to remain free from third-party interference.

The federation maintained that the issues cited in the suspension order had, “in the Federation’s understanding”, either been addressed before the show-cause notice was issued on June 30 or had been explained in its detailed response to the Ministry on July 7.

Ms. Ahlawat said the TTFI’s response was supported by minutes, resolutions and audited records.

Seeking to underline its functioning on the sporting front, Ms. Ahlawat, wife of former TTFI chief Dushyant Chautala, pointed to India’s recent performances, including the presence of five Indian women and three men in the ITTF world top-100/top-50, respectively, medal-winning performances at the Asian Games and Asian Youth Championships, and what it described as a robust junior pipeline.

She also reiterated its commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

“TTFI remains in close and constructive engagement with the Ministry and is fully committed to addressing any concerns that may be brought to its attention,” the federation said.

The latest development leaves the proposed interim arrangement as the next major point of contention, with TTFI stressing that any such mechanism must take into account the principles of sporting autonomy.

Published - August 13, 2026 06:15 pm IST