Table Tennis: Batra threatens legal action over Asiad axing

Rejecting suggestions that she is seeking preferential treatment star Indian table tennis player Manika Batra on Wednesday threatened to take legal action if she is not provided a factual explanation for the arbitrary decision to omit her from the Asian Games Manika once again sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviyas intervention in the matter asserting that she deserves transparency consistency and accountability in the selection processManika was left out of the Asiad for failing to meet the selection criteria of the Table Tennis Federation of India TTFI that demanded participation in national events Over the last few days I have seen many people say that I am seeking a place in the Asian Games team or that I am asking for special consideration Let me state this clearly I am not asking to be selected I am not asking anyone to overturn the decision I am asking for answers she said in a fresh statementI sincerely hope that a clear and factual explanation is provided However if I do not receive satisfactory answers regarding the basis of this decision I will be left with no option but to explore all remedies available to me including legal recourse through my legal team she warned The former Commonwealth Games goldmedallist and twotime Olympian said the TTFI has not communicated the specific reason for her omissionI am currently World No 51 Rankings in table tennis are updated every week and operate on a rolling points system That naturally raises important questions What timeline was considered while evaluating rankings Was the assessment based on the previous 12 month six months the previous two months or a single weekly ranking snapshot she askedIf an athlete who has consistently been around the Top 50 moves from 50 to 51 over a week or two does that suddenly make her ineligible These are questions that deserve clear answers she saidResponding to criticism of her nonappearance at national level events Manika said her busy international calendar should have been taken into account by TTFI I have immense respect for national events and have always been proud to compete in them But athletes competing regularly on the international circuit often have to manage an intense global calendar recovery periods travel visa processing and preparation for major eventsDomestic participation cannot be viewed in isolation from international commitments Having said that I will certainly be more mindful of participating in national events going forward and will continue to do my best to contribute to Indian table tennis at every level she pointed out Describing her international performances this season as strong Manika said her victories against top Asian players and highlyrated Chinese opponents on the World Table Tennis circuit should have been considered when evaluation was being done by the selection committeeCurrent form is something even the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports directs should be considered when selecting playersteams for the Asian games she said Manika said besides her own omission she has also been left surprised to see some other players with proven records being left out Take the example of Ayhika Mukherjee who was part of Indias historic womens doubles medal at the last Asian Games When athletes with such achievements are left out it naturally raises questions about the criteria and evaluation process that led to these decisionsI have been informed that the final selection involved a voting process If that is true then I believe athletes have a right to know who made those decisions and on what basis What were the reasons Were they documented Were they communicated Were conflict of interests disclosed she askedIs selection committee qualifiedManika questioned the credentials of the TTFI selection committee The federation has not revealed its composition on the official website athletes have a right to know who is making these decisions and what qualifications or experience they bring to the selection process How many members of the Selection Committee have represented India internationally she saidHow many have competed at the Olympic Games Commonwealth Games Asian Games or at the highest levels of table tennis If a vote was taken against me what were the reasons behind those votes Were they based on documented performance criteria or on subjective opinions Accusing TTFI of following a process that lacks transparency Manika said her concerns should not be viewed as that of an amateur athlete reacting emotionally to one selection decisionThat is why I have requested the Honble Prime Minister and the Honble Sports Minister to look into this matter Not because I want a place in the team Not because I want special treatment But because I believe every athlete deserves transparency consistency and accountability in the selection process And just to be absolutely clear once again I am asking questions not special consideration she saidThis story has 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