Indian Sports Ministry Suspends Table Tennis Federation Over Governance Issues

The Indian Sports Ministry has suspended the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to significant governance deficiencies. This decision comes after repeated failures to adhere to good governance principles. The ministry has requested the Indian Olympic Association to establish an ad-hoc committee to oversee the sport's administration in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation. This suspension means TTFI will not receive any government support until a compliant governance structure is restored. The move aims to protect the interests of athletes and ensure effective management of table tennis in the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 12, 2026, 21:40 IST

Suspension of TTFI by Sports Ministry

The Ministry of Sports has taken the significant step of suspending the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to serious governance issues and institutional failures. In light of this, the ministry has urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport's operations in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

In an official communication, Director (Sports) Bangararaju VVKK T expressed:

“The ministry is convinced that TTFI has not complied with the essential principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and democratic practices expected from a recognized national sports federation. The federation has consistently ignored the directives and guidelines issued by this ministry, leading to ongoing governance issues that have negatively impacted the administration of the federation and could harm the interests of athletes and the sport of table tennis in India.”

“Therefore, exercising the powers granted under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, and other relevant regulations, the ministry has decided to suspend the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) as the National Sports Federation for table tennis, effective immediately, until further notice,” the communication continued.

As a result of this suspension, the federation will no longer receive any financial support or patronage from the government. The ministry has also instructed the IOA to establish a temporary arrangement.

“The ministry has resolved to ask the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the National Olympic Committee, to take necessary actions, in consultation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), to create an interim mechanism, including an ad-hoc committee, in line with the constitutional and regulatory framework governing table tennis, until a compliant governance structure is reinstated in TTFI,” the order concluded.