TABLE TENNIS | Rajasthan stakes claim for National Games participation

TTFI-1 men's team stuns at National Table Tennis Championship, aiming for National Games despite internal disputes in Rajasthan.

It may not have won a medal, but the sensational run of TTFI-1 men’s outfit — comprising one of the disputed factions of the Rajasthan Table Tennis Association (RTTA) — has created a stir at the 86th senior National table tennis championship.

The TTFI-1 men — including Shubham Ojha, Harsh Srivastava, Priyansh Bhati, Anukram Jain and Lakshya Toshniwal — first stunned Bengal to top its group and then marched into the quarterfinals to seal a direct entry for the next year’s National Games, scheduled to be hosted by Chhattisgarh.

RTTA secretary Sanjay Gehlot hoped that the internal dispute can be resolved with the other faction and the National Games aspirations will be fulfilled.

“The boys have worked extremely hard to first qualify. Finishing joint fifth is indeed incredible. We wish that the TTFI can help us resolve all the issues and even the other team players can be considered for the National Games selection,” Gehlot told The Hindu on Thursday.

“Qualifying for the National Games in a huge achievement and honour for Rajasthan table tennis fraternity. Hopefully, all the issues are put on the backburner at the earliest and players’ welfare is prioritised.”

However, a TTFI official, requesting anonymity, was not sure whether the National Games officials will accept the TTFI-1 team as the official Rajasthan outfit.

“TTFI has always ensured players do not suffer for any reason and will continue to do so, but it will be dicey to convince the authorities about this peculiar situation, should the National Games be played next year,” the official said.