Date:08/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110856332200.htm

Sport - Tennis

Delhi Table Tennis Association suspended

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Table Tennis Federation of India has suspended the Delhi Table Tennis Association with immediate effect.

An ad-hoc committee has been formed to conduct the DTTA affairs with former National coach Manjit Dua as the secretary. The ad-hoc committee will also have M.P. Singh (Haryana) and V.K. Bawa (Petroleum) as TTFI observers. Mr. I. S. Gujral, who was the DTTA president, will continue in the post.

The TTFI Secretrary M.C. Chowhan explained, “We had been receiving complaints against the DTTA for a long time. Several players had pointed out irregularities in the draws of local tournaments. In the recent times, even parents joined the agitation.

“They insisted that the TTFI intervened and took some positive actions against the local association.”

Reacting to the decision, DTTA secretary Hukam Singh, 81, said, “I have been involved with the DTTA since 1962 and this is the reward the TTFI has given me.

“Which State association has an office? I have given my sweat and blood to this game and I don’t want any bad memories.

“I will gracefully accept the TTFI decision but please ask them to prove their allegations and tell me under which rule have they suspended the DTTA and formed an ad-hoc committee.

“The TTFI can’t take this action on its own without even issuing us a show-cause notice.”

Mr. Chowhan noted, “We have decided to form an ad-hoc committee, much like what IOA did in the case of hockey. We have drafted in some former players to run the DTTA affairs for at least six months until the time we announce fresh elections.”

According to Mr. Chowhan, “One of the main objections of the players and officials was that Mr. Hukum Singh ran the affairs of the DTTA from his home in Karol Bagh.

“I’ve ordered the shifting of the DTTA office to Panchkuiyan Road where we have our TTFI office these days. This will also help us keep a close eye on its working.”

Dua said, “I will try my best to do something for the game. I have always worked in the interest of the game.

“It is very challenging because we have no infrastructure at all. We have to give proper playing conditions. But we can achieve this with the backing of the TTFI. I have been assured all help in this regard.”