Now Reading: TTFI suspension leaves coach Costantini, Asiad prep in limbo
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TTFI suspension leaves coach Costantini, Asiad prep in limbo
The Sports Ministry’s suspension of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Wednesday has thrown foreign coach Massimo Costantini’s reappointment and the Asian Games preparation plans into uncertainty. Hindustan Times reports…
The Story in Brief
The Sports Ministry’s suspension of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Wednesday has thrown foreign coach Massimo Costantini’s reappointment and the Asian Games preparation plans into uncertainty. Hindustan Times reports that Costantini, currently in Sweden with Indian players at the Europe Smash, has been asked to return to Italy instead of travelling to India for the Asian Games tune-up. The ministry has directed the Indian Olympic Association to set up an ad-hoc committee to oversee TTFI affairs. Costantini had outlined a preparation roadmap in March. However, the Asian Games squad list, already submitted to the IOA, is unlikely to be affected.
The suspension, citing governance lapses, delayed elections and selection issues, follows player Manika Batra questioning her exclusion from the Asian Games squad. TTFI has urged the ministry to reconsider.
The Indian Opinion
The TTFI suspension highlights yet another case of sports governance failure, but the narrative often lets the federation off the hook. Batra’s exclusion and the factional mess show that institutional rot, not just ministerial overreach, is the problem. The ad-hoc committee’s first test is whether it can quickly confirm Costantini’s contract and hold a proper camp before the Asian Games start on September 17. If preparations stall, who will answer: the federation that invited the suspension, or the ministry that pulled the plug with just weeks to go?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
