CoA’s guidelines to come into effect from October 1

New selection/ranking criteria for domestic and international tournaments

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) running the affairs of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has released a new document on the TTFI website that covers a wide gamut of issues including the ‘Conflict of Interest’ and inconsistencies in selection of players for major international tournaments.

Among them is the new selection/ranking criteria for domestic and international tournaments that will come into force on October 1, 2022 “or immediately after the first ranking tournament, whichever is earlier.”

Explaining its strong stand on several issues, the CoA said: “the existing selection criteria and process are manifestly inadequate in implementing the vision and administrative goals of TTFI or in ensuring that the Indian table tennis players have the assurance of a transparent and consistent selection framework.”

The CoA had released a new criteria proposal on April 6 seeking suggestions from all stakeholders — players, parents, coaches and State associations.

After receiving the feedback, it has come up with the criteria which it says is “inclusive and fair”.

The CoA summarily rejected the current system that gives 50% and 30% weightage for domestic and international rankings and 20% for selectors’ discretion.

“This (current) system,” it emphasised, “does not adequately recognise international performances. The number of prestigious international tournaments has increased in leaps and bounds since the above criterion was framed.