Indian Table Tennis Association Responds to Batra's Selection Dispute
The Indian Table Tennis Association (TTFI) has issued a detailed response to Manika Batra’s concerns regarding her exclusion from the Asian Games team. 
Batra, a three-time Olympian, had requested a clear, fact-based explanation supported by written standards after her omission from the June selection list. 
The TTFI confirmed that Batra’s exclusion was based entirely on the selection criteria, with the committee strictly adhering to the established process. 
The selection was determined by a weighted scoring system across three criteria: domestic ranking (50%), international ranking (40%), and a discretionary evaluation by the selection committee (10%). 
A spokesperson for the TTFI clarified that Batra’s exclusion was not due to a poor ranking in any single category but rather the result of a comprehensive evaluation where the final five selected were deemed the best fit for the 2026 Asian Games. 
Batra’s world ranking at the time of selection was 51st, just outside the top 50, which was the cutoff for automatic qualification. 
Batra also contested the domestic ranking component, arguing that maintaining top form makes it difficult to compete in every domestic event. 
During the selection process, four athletes—Akula, Ghorpade, Chitale, and Das—were unanimously chosen by the committee. The final spot was contested among several candidates, with Sutirtha Mukherjee receiving 8 votes. In the selection for the alternate spot, Ghosh received 6 votes, while Batra received 2. 
Despite having a chance to secure the last spot in the voting, Batra was ultimately not the first choice among the alternates. 
Batra stated that she was seeking a reasonable explanation, not special treatment, and that she would explore all legal options, including litigation, through her legal team. 
The 31-year-old athlete, who achieved a career-high ranking of 24 and a bronze medal in the women’s singles at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, now aims to refocus on upcoming tournaments and the year-end mixed team World Cup qualification. 
