IOA constitutes Ad-Hoc committee to run TTFI

The IOA said the committee had been constituted as a “limited and time-bound interim sporting mechanism”. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formally constituted a three-member ad-hoc committee to administer the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), with former national champion Indu Puri appointed as its chairperson.

The office order, issued by IOA president P. T. Usha on September 17, comes a little over a month after the Sports Ministry suspended TTFI’s recognition as the National Sports Federation on August 12. The IOA said the committee had been constituted as a “limited and time-bound interim sporting mechanism” in consultation with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Puri, 73, an eight-time National champion, will be joined by Namrata Chatterjee, a reputed sports lawyer, as the legal member and Dr. Andres Constantin, ITTF Governance Manager, as the third member. The committee’s mandate includes ensuring the day-to-day administration of the sport, athlete participation and compliance with the applicable legal, regulatory and ITTF frameworks.

Indu Puri is an eight-time National champion. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES

It will also review TTFI’s Constitution and governance framework, including their alignment with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and the applicable ITTF framework. Reviewing the affiliation and electoral structure, facilitating a transparent process for selection of teams and athletes, and overseeing elections to a duly elected governing body also form part of its mandate.

The committee has been tasked with ensuring uninterrupted functioning of TTFI, including athlete registrations, selections and entries, while maintaining neutrality and transparency. It has also been empowered, where necessary, to coordinate with government agencies and sporting authorities.

Importantly, the committee will not function as a permanent governing body. The order states that it will act strictly as a caretaker and transitional body and cannot create permanent posts, contractual liabilities or irreversible financial or administrative commitments. The committee has initially been constituted for six months.

Any extension will require a written IOA decision following consultation with, and prior written approval of, the ITTF. The IOA may also expand its strength from three to a maximum of five members, if required.