Manika Batra's Asian Games doors remain firmly shut: Table tennis federation source
The Table Tennis Federation of India have shut the doors on Manika Batra's selection to the main squad for the Asian Games. TTFI sources claim that due process was followed during the selection process.
Manika Batra's hopes of making India's Asian Games squad remain firmly shut after the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) defended its selection process and made it clear that her omission was in line with the existing criteria.
Responding to the multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist's demand for clarification over her exclusion, TTFI stated on Wednesday that the selection committee had duly considered her candidature but selected the final squad strictly on the basis of the federation's policy.
The federation maintained that the decision was not influenced by any single factor and instead came after a broader assessment of performances and team requirements.
According to TTFI's selection framework, 50 per cent weightage is given to national rankings, 40 per cent to international rankings, while selectors retain 10 per cent discretionary power.
WHY WAS MANIKA BATRA NOT SELECTED?
Manika, currently ranked World No. 51, missed out largely because she did not compete in domestic events and therefore did not carry a national ranking into the selection process. An automatic place would have been available only if she had been inside the top 50 of the ITTF rankings at the time the squad was finalised on June 9.
A federation source said the final decision was taken after considering national performances, international results, comparative assessment of players, team balance, medal prospects and strategic suitability.
"Her candidature was duly considered. The decision was taken bona fide, in accordance with the governing policy and within the timelines set by the IOA," the source said.
The source further revealed that while the first four women's spots were selected unanimously, voting was conducted for the fifth and final place in the squad.
Sutirtha Mukherjee emerged as the preferred choice after receiving eight votes. Manika was subsequently placed among the reserves alongside Swastika Ghosh.
The clarification comes days after Manika publicly questioned the transparency of the selection process and warned that she could explore legal options if she did not receive a satisfactory explanation from the federation.
India's final entries for the Asian Games had to be submitted to the Indian Olympic Association by June 10.
Manika Batra's hopes of making India's Asian Games squad remain firmly shut after the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) defended its selection process and made it clear that her omission was in line with the existing criteria.
Responding to the multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist's demand for clarification over her exclusion, TTFI stated on Wednesday that the selection committee had duly considered her candidature but selected the final squad strictly on the basis of the federation's policy.
The federation maintained that the decision was not influenced by any single factor and instead came after a broader assessment of performances and team requirements.
According to TTFI's selection framework, 50 per cent weightage is given to national rankings, 40 per cent to international rankings, while selectors retain 10 per cent discretionary power.
WHY WAS MANIKA BATRA NOT SELECTED?
Manika, currently ranked World No. 51, missed out largely because she did not compete in domestic events and therefore did not carry a national ranking into the selection process. An automatic place would have been available only if she had been inside the top 50 of the ITTF rankings at the time the squad was finalised on June 9.
A federation source said the final decision was taken after considering national performances, international results, comparative assessment of players, team balance, medal prospects and strategic suitability.
"Her candidature was duly considered. The decision was taken bona fide, in accordance with the governing policy and within the timelines set by the IOA," the source said.
The source further revealed that while the first four women's spots were selected unanimously, voting was conducted for the fifth and final place in the squad.
Sutirtha Mukherjee emerged as the preferred choice after receiving eight votes. Manika was subsequently placed among the reserves alongside Swastika Ghosh.
The clarification comes days after Manika publicly questioned the transparency of the selection process and warned that she could explore legal options if she did not receive a satisfactory explanation from the federation.
India's final entries for the Asian Games had to be submitted to the Indian Olympic Association by June 10.
