Table Tennis Star Manika Batra Flags Selection Irregularities, Says Mentally Exhausted, Steps Away From Fight

Star Indian table tennis player Manika Batra has alleged that the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) violated its own Constitution during the selection process for the upcoming Asian Games , even as she said she is stepping away from the dispute, stating she is “mentally exhausted” and is “putting the sword down”.

In a detailed statement, Manika Batra said she was informed by the federation that the selection process was conducted strictly in accordance with rules. However, she claimed that documents available with her suggest that a nine member selection committee finalised the squad, which she argued is in violation of Article 24(C)(j) of the TTFI Constitution , which limits such committees to seven members.

“A nine member committee decided my fate, yet I am being told that the process was fully compliant with the Constitution and rules,” Manika Batra said, adding that she would leave it to the public to judge the matter.

The federation, however, maintained that the selection was carried out in line with its established procedure and approved criteria.

Manika Batra , a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and three time Olympian, said she is no longer willing to continue the prolonged dispute with the parent body. “I am mentally exhausted with this fight and for now I am putting my sword down,” she stated, while confirming that she will now focus on an ongoing international tournament in the United States.

She added that her immediate priority is to represent India on court and extended her best wishes to the selected squad.

“I have a bigger responsibility today. My complete focus will now be on the tournament ahead,” Manika Batra said. “To the selected team, I wish you nothing but success. Go and make India proud.”

The controversy follows her exclusion from India’s main squad for the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games , scheduled from September 19 to October 4. She has earlier raised concerns over transparency in selection, while the federation has consistently defended its process.

According to the TTFI , selection was based on a formula giving 50 percent weightage to national rankings, 40 percent to world rankings, and 10 percent to selection committee discretion. While Manika Batra remains one of India’s highest ranked international players, her absence from several domestic events impacted her national ranking, which played a key role in the final selection.

The women’s squad will be led by Sreeja Akula , world No 45, and includes Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee, and Syndrela Das , with Swastika Ghosh named as a reserve alongside Manika Batra .